Adolescent Victims and Intergenerational Issues in Sexual Abuse (From Handbook of Psychological Approaches With Violent Offenders: Contemporary Strategies and Issues, P 303-328, 1999, Vincent B. Van Hasselt and Michel Hersen, eds. -- See NCJ-179662)

• NCJ Number: 179674
• Author(s): Debra B. Hecht; David J. Hansen
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: Kluwer Academic Publishers
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This overview of adolescent victims and intergenerational issues in sexual abuse addresses a description of the problem, historical background, epidemiology, victim characteristics, family patterns, assessment and diagnosis, course and prognosis, clinical management, and treatment.

Abstract

Adolescence is a transitional developmental period that is characterized by physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. Many adolescents are further stressed by being a victim of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a widespread problem with serious and varied consequences for adolescent victims. Adolescents, for a variety of reasons (e.g., puberty, and peer influences), are likely to begin engaging in sexual acts, and victims of sexual abuse are particularly at risk of developing sexualized behaviors. Research evidence suggests that adolescent victims need special attention to help prevent the intergenerational transmission of abuse. Despite the increased attention to the problem of adolescent sexual abuse in recent decades, there is still much to learn about providing effective treatment. Future research must further develop and evaluate effective intervention strategies for adolescent sexual abuse victims, including treatment for the varied consequences of abuse and prevention of offending behavior. 104 references