NCJ Number
93378
Date Published
1980
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This film portrays the family situation of a 16-year-old abused teen and her successful attempt at finding help for her family and herself through Parents Anonymous and a therapy group for teens.
Abstract
Although teenagers constitute approximately 15 percent of all abuse victims, they have had little recourse for assistance. In the case at hand, a girl endured 16 years of beatings by her father before reporting the offenses. In the family situation described through interviews with the mother, father, and two daughters, the abusing father was expressing his anger according to abusive patterns he had learned in his own childhood. The mother was fearful and too ashamed to seek any form of help. Both daughters were intimidated and unwilling to incriminate their father. After having participated for 2 years in Parents Anonymous, both parents could attest to the usefulness of self-help therapy in learning to control themselves and improve their family situation. A segment showing a session of the teen group organized by the daughter with the cooperation of social welfare authorities illustrates both the psychological effects of abuse on teenage girls and the types of therapy (i.e., role playing, sharing experiences) employed under the guidance of a counselor. Contacting Parents Anonymous or school counselors is the procedure recommended for abused teens in need of help.