NCJ Number
129545
Journal
Cultic Studies Journal Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (1988) Pages: 228-236
Date Published
1988
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Cult-based ritualistic sexual abuse of children is used as a means of attaining a religious or mythical experience for the adult perpetrators who are members of a satanic or other cultic group.
Abstract
Intrafamilial ritualistic abuse usually involves nuclear and extended family members and may be multigenerational. Most reported cases of extrafamilial ritualistic abuse involve day care centers or family child care providers. Children are abused psychologically as well as physically through group cult ceremonies, animal sacrifices, supernatural threats, ingestion of drugs and other substances, and distortion of traditional belief systems. Investigators and therapists often fail to recognize the signs of ritualistic sexual abuse, while others remain skeptical that this type of abuse actually occurs. Increased incidences of functional disturbances, inappropriate sexual behavior, psychological distress, and other mental health disorders are associated with sexually abused children. Child mental health and protective services workers as well as the media need to pay more attention to cases of ritualistic abuse and therapists need to confront treatment issues related to victims of such abuse. 18 references (Author abstract modified)