Child sexual abuse constitutes a serious violation of human rights, with profound repercussions on children’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. Among the various impacts resulting from this violence, post-traumatic stress disorder stands out, a psychopathology frequently diagnosed in victims who have experienced traumatic situations, especially in contexts of abuse. Objective: This study aims to analyze the effects of child sexual abuse on the psychological development of school-age children, with emphasis on the manifestation of post-traumatic disorder and its implications in everyday school life. Methodology: The methodology used was bibliographic research, based on scientific articles, specialized books, legislation and institucional documents that address child sexual abuse, the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in children and the role of school in the protection network. Results: Traumatic stress is characterized by an excessive influx of excitations that exceed the subject’s tolerance, compromising their ability to control and psychically process such stimuli. The effect of this intense effort is the creation of a kind of psychic capsule that immobilizes these elements, whose quantity and intensity would be devastating for the psychic surface. Through therapy, the aim is to enable the child to re-signify the lived experience, favoring the elaboration of the trauma and the understanding that abuse constitutes a painful stage, but surmountable in his life trajectory. Conclusion: It was found that post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the main psychopathological manifestations in victims, significantly affecting their ability to symbolize trauma, their cognitive and emotional development, and their social and school interaction. Given this, the importance of the interdisciplinary action of protection networks is highlighted – health, education, justice and social assistance – for adequate reception and for the construction of strategies that promote listening, care and resignification of the lived experience.

Child Sexual Abuse, Consequences, Psychology, Trauma