NCJ Number
193627
Journal
Journal of Sexual Aggression Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 41-56
Date Published
2001
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Data from 120 female adolescents in New York City formed the basis of an analysis of the later effects of child sexual abuse in this group.
Abstract
The participants included 60 randomly selected female adolescents who had been referred to treatment programs at the Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York City at least 3 years before and 60 female adolescents who did not have a diagnosis of sexual abuse. Results of the comparison with the nonvictims revealed that the victims of abuse experienced physical, emotional, and social impacts. Victims were characterized by having thoughts of depression, death, and suicidal ideation; lower self-esteem; fewer close friends; and more verbal disputes with their parent or parents. They were also more likely to run away from home, have multiple sexual partners, engage in sexual activity at an earlier age, not use birth control, have an increased chance of becoming pregnant, and have an increased chance of contracting HIV, AIDS, or other sexually transmitted diseases. Participants had positive attitudes toward assistance that had helped them recover from the psychological victimization effects and also believed that it would have been more helpful to receive longer-term multidisciplinary services. Findings reinforced the need for more comprehensive and coordinated services. Tables and 38 references