Evaluation and Treatment for Incest Victims and Their Families: A Problem-Oriented Approach (From Modern Perspectives in Psychosocial Pathology, P 43-57, 1989, John G Howells, ed.)

• NCJ Number: 115030
• Author(s): J M Goodwin
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Brunner/Mazel, Inc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A five-point, problem-oriented approach to assessing and treating incest victims provides a useful framework for initial assessment of incest complaints and for planning treatment.

Abstract

The five-problem model first involves a physical examination of the victim, since physical signs of abuse are present in 50-75 percent of children who have been vaginally or anally penetrated. The second aspect of the model is an investigation that focuses on finding other victims, witnesses, and physical evidence. The third component of the model is an assessment of the credibility of the child victim's account. Re-evaluation of the child's account can include interventions other than a reinterview of the child, such as interviews of all persons the child has told about the sexual abuse and observation of investigative videotapes or one of the child's therapy sessions to assess the child's developmental stage, intellectual capacity, communicative style, emotional state, and continued involvement with the sexual abuse complaint. The fourth component is an assessment of the abuser. Absent productive interviews with the abuser, assessment may use collateral sources to document previous patterns of sexual, physical, and emotional violence. The fifth aspect of the model involves screening for post-traumatic symptoms. The most frequently described syndrome of symptoms includes intrusive memories and feelings about the abuse interspersed by the numbing of responsiveness. The chapter discusses how to apply the model to treatment planning for the adult incest victim. 63 references.