1. ^aDepartment of Mental Health Law and Policy, Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. E-mail: jrobst@fmhi.usf.edu
2. ^bCrisis Center of Tampa Bay, One Crisis Center Plaza Tampa, FL 33613 E-mail: stacymarlesmith@verizon.net

Abstract

Numerous studies show that survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) suffer as adults from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug abuse, and other mental illnesses. As such, the effect of experiencing traumatic events during childhood including sexual abuse can be long lasting. The lasting effects of CSA may also have economic implications. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether a history of CSA affects women's wages and to examine whether such effects are a function of the severity of abuse.