Children who have been sexually abused feel many different
(and often overwhelming) emotions, including:

Fear
* of the abuser
* of causing trouble
* of losing adults important to them
* of being taken away from home
* of being "different"

Anger
* at the abuser
* at other adults around them who did not protect them
* at themselves (feeling as if they caused trouble)

Isolation
* because "something is wrong with me"
* because they feel alone in their experience
* because they have trouble talking about the abuse

Sadness
* about having something taken from them
* about losing a part of themselves
* about growing up too fast
* about being betrayed by someone they trusted

Guilt
* for not being able to stop the abuse
* for believing they "consented" to the abuse
* for "telling"--if they told
* for keeping the secret--if they did not tell

Shame
* about being involved in the experience
* about their bodies' response to the abuse

Confusion
* because they may still love the abuser
* because their feelings change all the time