NCJ Number
196037
Journal
Journal of Threat Assessment Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 35-61
Editor(s)
Joseph T. McCann
Date Published
2001
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This review evaluates and summarizes the research done on the beliefs of professionals regarding child sexual abuse and discusses the influence of different perspectives on assessment and treatment strategies.
Abstract
Professionals working with child sexual abuse victims include social workers, lawyers, psychologists, nurses, physicians, and many more. Professionals’ beliefs can affect both clinical practice and forensic assessments of children and adults. This article reviews the beliefs and practices of professionals working in child sexual abuse cases with a discussion emphasizing child sexual abuse histories in treatment planning. With professionals having varying levels of training handling child sexual abuse cases, it is important to examine professionals’ general knowledge and beliefs and how these impact clinical practice. Professionals use a wide range of indicators to assess child sexual abuse: (1) medical and physical indicators; (2) behavioral indicators and psychopathology; (3) behavioral manifestations of child sexual abuse in children; (4) adult manifestations of child sexual abuse; (5) self-reports and verbal disclosures; (6) reports of sexual abuse by children; (7) reports of sexual abuse by adults; and (8) anatomical dolls. The implications of these assessments include child interventions and adult interventions. According to this review, some professional beliefs and practices reflect scientific knowledge and others are inconsistent with the literature. Clinical assessments are often ambiguous and assessors need to entertain alternative hypotheses in clinical and forensic evaluations. Mental health professionals should focus on enabling individuals in the community and focus on information that has been demonstrated to be useful in assessment and treatment. Empirical science should continue to inform professional beliefs and practices. Professionals should use scientific principles in clinical work and be just as familiar with empirical research. References