NCJ Number
62901
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 3 Issue: 3/4 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (1979) Pages: 683-691
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A RESEARCH-SERVICE COMMUNITY PROGRAM FOR SEXUALLY ABUSED ADOLESCENTS IS OUTLINED, AND RESULTS FROM A 5-MONTH EVALUATION ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
THE REGIONAL INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL WELFARE RESEARCH, INC. (ATHENS, GA.), USING RESEARCH DATA FROM CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES, DEVELOPED A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF SUCH ABUSE WHICH USES A DIAL-A-TAPE TELEPHONE SYSTEM TO REACH ADOLESCENTS ANONYMOUSLY WITH INFORMATION ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED DEFINES SEXUAL ABUSE UNDER THE LAW, HOW TO REPORT IT, AND OTHER REASSURING COMMENTARY TO ENCOURAGE THE CALLER TO SEEK TREATMENT AND PROTECTION. TELEPHONE COUNSELORS ARE ALSO USED FOR THOSE CALLERS WHO WISH TO STAY ON THE LINE FOLLOWING THE TAPED MESSAGE. THE APPROACH EMPHASIZES THE CALLER'S RIGHT TO ANONYMITY. ANY SUBSEQUENT COUNSELING ALSO PERMITS ANONYMITY. THE PROGRAM PLAN WAS IMPLEMENTED AS A 12-MONTH DEMONSTRATION PROJECT, USING THE SERVICES OF A PRIVATE AGENCY--FAMILY AND CHILDRENS SERVICES, INC., OF KNOXVILLE, TENN. A COMMUNITY PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WAS CONDUCTED TO MAKE KNOWN THE EXISTENCE OF THE TELEPHONE INFORMATION SERVICE. THE FEAR OF COMMUNITY RESISTANCE TO THE PROGRAM WAS FOUND TO BE UNWARRANTED. THE PRIVATE AGENCY WORKED IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE KNOX COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. USING BASELINE DATA FOR ADOLESCENT SEXUAL ABUSE REPORTING AND CASE WORK FOR 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INITIATION OF THE PROGRAM, IT WAS FOUND THAT DURING THE FIRST 5 MONTHS OF OPERATION THE INCIDENCE OF ADOLESCENT SEXUAL ABUSE REPORTING AND RELATED COUNSELING CASE WORK ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY. A FINAL EVALUATION REPORT WAS TO BE PREPARED IN MARCH 1979. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)