Child sexual abuse: An undermining of the polis.

This paper explores the sexual abuse literature and the political participation literature for possible linkages. Research on political participation indicates low levels of political trust and damaged self-esteem have important impacts on style and level of political involvement. The literature on child sexual abuse indicates potential root causes for lowered trust and self-esteem which have implications for adult participation in the civic arena. Sexual abuse has negative effects on individual victims and also undermines the foundations of democratic societies.