NCJ Number
121156
Date Published
1989
Length
210 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overview of the problem of sexual abuse of children in Sweden. It reviews the literature, provides historical data, and summarizes Swedish studies on incidence.
Abstract
It begins by examining the definition of sexual assault of children and discussing changing social norms. The pedophile is discussed in terms of psychological and emotional makeup and general characteristics. Incest is discussed as are dynamics of families in which incest occurs. Both the victim and the perpetrator are considered, and the effects of abuse on the child are reviewed. Children at risk are discussed in terms of the age of first victimization, the family's social and ethnic characteristics, social isolation, relationships to parents, and relationships among family members. Two Swedish incidence studies are reviewed, and results are compared with those of similar surveys done in Denmark and Norway. Preventive measures and the need for further research are discussed. Figures, tables, and references