SEXUAL VIOLENCE, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL HARM: IMPACTS OF VICTIMIZATION IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

Resumen

Sexual violence against children and adolescents represents one of the most serious violations of human rights, with profound repercussions for victims' mental health, identity formation, and social integration. This qualitative study, based on a literature review, aimed to analyze the impacts of sexual victimization during childhood and adolescence, highlighting the relationship between sexual violence, juvenile delinquency, and psychosocial harm. The literature review demonstrated that the immediate effects of sexual violence manifest as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, impairing cognitive functioning and hindering academic performance. When left undiagnosed and untreated, these consequences extend to broader social dimensions, including social isolation, stigmatization, and weakened emotional bonds. The findings further indicate that juvenile delinquency may emerge as a possible outcome of early victimization experiences, particularly in contexts characterized by social exclusion and a lack of institutional support. It is concluded that sexual violence should be understood as a structural phenomenon requiring interdisciplinary responses and integrated public policies capable of preventing, identifying, and intervening effectively. Addressing this issue requires not only accountability but also qualified, trauma-informed support and the promotion of the dignity of children and adolescents.