NCJ Number
161925
Journal
Women and Criminal Justice Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (1995) Pages: 81-102
Date Published
1995
Length
22 pages
Annotation
A model is presented for examining the context in which child sexual abuse takes place, because current models that focus on prevention, treatment, and policies for Mexican American victims often ignore the victim's ethnicity.
Abstract
The proposed model takes into account the child's ethnicity, the family, the culture, and the larger majority culture in which that child has to survive. This culturally sensitive conceptual model of child sexual abuse has four central elements. First, it addresses multiple, linked systems. Second, it recognizes the interactions of all components of the systems, so that the problem of child sexual abuse is both perpetuated and resolved throughout the various systems. Third, the model acknowledges the influence of development on the various systems. Finally, the model uses a dynamic definition of culture, in which culture is conceptualized as a set of adaptations and strategies used by a particular ethnic group. This model indicates that interventions must facilitate the establishment of culturally appropriate protection mechanisms, reinforce adaptive family strategies in ways that maintain cultural values, and discern the meaning the family and child ascribes to the tragedy of sexual abuse. Service delivery systems should also facilitate participation by members of all communities. 38 references