Why do some abused people commit abuse and some don't?

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Why do some abused people commit abuse and some don't?

by Anonymous
(Daytona Beach, Florida, USA)

Statistics indicate the person who commits sexual abuse and other types of abuse is likely to have been abused as a child. What accounts for the difference of why some people go on to commit abuse while others do not?

Is there a statistic that indicates what percentage of people who were sexually abused as children do not go on to abuse others? And, if so is there an indication or theory of why some do go on to commit abuse themselves while others do not?

Note from Darlene: My answer can be found below.

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Why do some abused people commit abuse and some don't?

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Jan 07, 2008

Nature vs. nurture
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

There are many theories, but nothing concrete as to why some people with a history of abuse either do or don't go on to abuse others, because every single person is made up differently. There are too many genetic variables and environmental factors to provide anywhere close to a single answer.

As for a statistic about the percentage of people who were sexually abused as children who do not go on to abuse others; child abuse, including sexual abuse, is one of the most under-reported crimes in the world, so any statistic could not possibly reflect an accurate number. Not only that, but across the planet, there is no standard definition of child abuse, let alone sexual abuse. As long as this is the case, as long as child abuse continues to NOT be reported, your question will remain un-answerable.

Darlene Barriere
Violence & Abuse Prevention Educator
Author: On My Own Terms, A Memoir

Apr 14, 2009

Everyone understands things differently.
by: Anonymous

I believe that the reason why some people go on to abuse others after they themselves have been abused, is possibly because some people feel as though that is the way that others deserve to be treated or they feel that the only way to show their emotions is to abuse others. But the ones who dont go on to abuse others realize that what happened to them was wrong and that they never would want to wrong another human being the way that they were wronged.

Apr 14, 2009

To Anonymous:
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

You bring up some very good points; everyone DOES understand (and handle) things differently. When a child walks away from childhood believing s/he deserved the abuse that was doled out, that now grown-up child is often likely to carry on the abuse because in part, s/he doesn't see it as wrong. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this deeply disturbing issue.

Darlene Barriere
Webmaster: www.child-abuse-effects.com
Violence & Abuse Prevention Educator
Author: On My Own Terms, A Memoir

Mar 17, 2011

yea
by: Anonymous

as someone who was physically abused pretty badly growing up...i can tell you honeslty i have lived to manefest the incedents i receaved (beatings) on to others unjustly in my life...if i got beaten a couple months later id always end up beating someone else up that did something to me or offended me in some way, i realised this years ago but each time it hapend id forget and it would end up me being the abuser all over again , i knew in my heart each time i didnt want to hurt those people and deeply regretted the instances but i also forgave myself because i realized that i was displacing my anger from my abuser on to the others....unfortunaly for me this ended me up with broken knuckles one time...and in a psych ward another time....each time because i did not face my abuser with charges or retaliation when he abused me (my father), if i had never been abused i am convinced i would never have hurt another person.

May 06, 2011

abuse
by: EMR

I think that people commit abuse because its there way of putting there feelings out. I also think that people who have been abused are not abusing other people because they knew how bad it hurt and didnt want to see other people hurt, they also are emotional and some people who are abused want to keep to themselves and just dont want to be around other people because they dont like to be around people! some people also cant help abuse there children or spouse when they do it, it hurts them.

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Why do some abused people commit abuse and some don't?

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Why do some abused people commit abuse and some don't?