why do kids who have been sexually abused, cut themselves, cry, beat up pets etc?I'm doing an essay about abuse that needs to be turned in...

Children often lack the vocabulary to express their
feelings in non-harmful ways, so they resort to acting them out instead. This can take
many forms, including inflicting injury on themselves or on
others.

Passing on the pain by hurting younger children or
pets is common as a stress relief for children who feel powerless over what has happened
to him. Untreated victims sometimes grow up to become abusers. Other, less aggressive
children turn inward, and inflict injury on themselves
instead.

Self-injury is a complex phenomenon, and has been
shown to common among sexually abused children. Some psychologists says that it is an
effort to feel something, rather than just feeling numb. Others
theorize that the injury releases endorphins, brain chemicals which provide a level of
relaxation or comfort.