Data from 66 children and adolescents involved in sex rings indicate there are clear symptoms of distress during the period of sexual exploitation, at the time of disclosure, and in the posttraumatic phase.
While the sexual exploitation was occurring, children complained of urinary infection, genital soreness, headaches, appetite loss, and sleeping difficulties. Changes in school behavior, declining grades, and acting-out behaviors were observed. All children showed major stress symptoms immediately after disclosure of the abuse. Children were classified as either internal or external reactors. Two years after disclosure, four patterns of response to stress were observed: integration of the event, avoidance of the event, recurrent symptoms, and identification with the exploiter. Parents reacted with various defense mechanisms. They rationalized, avoided hearing the facts, minimized the severity of the exploitation, and withheld information from their spouses. Most families viewed the police response favorably. However, when the offender was not apprehended, family view of the police could be negative. Case examples and five endnotes are provided.