In recent decades, there has been increased public awareness regarding child sexual abuse. Child abuse is defined as intentional acts that result in physical or emotional harm. However, most people do not understand that there are different forms of child abuse; they include physical abuse, neglect and sexual abuse. Child abuse is widespread and most people prefer not to think about it. For a very long time, people have been in denial because it's easier when everyone believes they live in a perfect world. When in reality, two hundred and forty-seven children are abused every day, and of those children, five will each die from neglect. they faced it. This represents 3.6 million cases of child abuse reported each year, and the number of children involved in these reports is six million (Whittier). This number of children who are abused each year is incredible, imagine how many cases go unreported each year. Repressed memories are a condition in which a memory has been unconsciously blocked by an individual. This normally occurs when a person has experienced high levels of stress or trauma. According to the American Psychological Association, it is currently not possible to distinguish a true repressed memory from a false one without corroborating evidence (PsycINFO). This is one reason why many psychologists specializing in mental processes would be skeptical. This is because they specialize in the notion of repression including amnesia, which proves difficult to prove (Immelman). While psychologists specializing in counseling and psychotherapy are generally more convinced, due to the evidence supporting the data of repressed memories (I...... middle of paper ...... the help of a psychiatrist has true or false memories of past sexual abuse, they are entitled to sympathetic and competent care Good standard psychiatric practice offers the best chance of helping a patient identify and come to terms with past traumatic events Works Cited Brandon. , S., J. Glasser, and R. Green. “Recovered memories of child sexual abuse.” BritishJournal of Psychiatry, December 12, 1997. Web, November 25, 2013. “Can a memory be forgotten and then remembered?” 2013. Web. Nov. 25, 2013. Immelman, Aubrey “Recovery of Memory of Childhood Sexual Abuse.” Personality in Politics Unit, Minnesota, March 26, 2001. Web. Nov. 25, 2013. . “Child sexual abuse: the epidemic that no one talks about.” Daily Messenger. Gatehouse Media, Inc., April 6, 2011. Web. November 25. 2013.