SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION OF CHILDREN IN A NORMAL POPULATION

• NCJ Number: 60109
• Author(s): D FINKELHOR
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): T32-MH15161; R01-MH30939
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED TO THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, SEPTEMBER 11-15, 1978 IN LONDON

Annotation

VALID RESEARCH IS POSSIBLE ON THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM OF SEXUAL ABUSE WITHIN FAMILIES, BUT MUCH ABUSE IS NOT REPORTED. SPECIFIC AREAS NEEDING STUDY ARE IDENTIFIED.

Abstract

PEOPLE ARE MORE WILLING IN THE 1970'S THAN IN PREVIOUS TIMES TO TALK ABOUT CHILDHOOD VICTIMIZATION. IN 6 NORTHEASTERN COLLEGES 795 WOMEN AND MEN UNDERGRADUATES WERE ASKED ABOUT ABUSE DURING CHILDHOOD. OF THE WOMEN, 19 PERCENT REPORTED SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION AND OF THE MEN 9 PERCENT. VICTIMS OF BOTH SEXES WERE MORE VULNERABLE PRIOR TO PUBERTY. OTHERS SOURCES OF TRAUMA INCLUDE FORCE AND ABUSE BY AN OLDER PARTNER, WITH INCEST BEING THE MOST NEGATIVE OCCURRENCE. VICTIMS ARE FREQUENTLY FROM LOWER SOCIAL CLASSES AND FROM RURAL AREAS, THUS CONFIRMING THE IDEA THAT SEXUAL ABUSE AND INCEST RESULT FROM SOCIAL ISOLATION. KINDS OF VICTIMS' RELATIONSHIPS ARE EXPLORED; THOSE BETWEEN GIRLS AND THEIR STEPFATHERS APPEAR TO BE ON OF THE MOST LIKELY INCEST SITUATIONS. THE ABSOLUTE INCIDENCE OF SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION IS NOT INCREASING BUT PROFESSIONALS ARE MORE WILLING TO INVESTIGATE THEREBY MAKING IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO STUDY.