NCJ Number
198706
Date Published
2002
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses the incidence of the sexual abuse of adolescents, adolescent development and the impact of sexual abuse, the prevalence of the effects of sexual abuse on adolescents, assessment, and treatment techniques.
Abstract
Research indicates that youth between the ages of 12- and 15-years-old are as likely as younger children to be reported for physical abuse, but the rate drops significantly for children older than age 16 years old (from approximately 27 percent to 8.1 percent). Rates of sexual abuse are apparently slightly higher in the 12- to 15-year-old range but again decline dramatically in youth age 16 years old and older. Psychological abuse is rarely reported in older adolescents. In discussing adolescent development, the chapter focuses on physical/sexual development, changes in dependency status, cognitive development, identity development, and developmental victimatology. In the latter discussion, the authors note that puberty brings about many uncomfortable feelings and issues related to body image, and an abusive experience during this time can have a wide-ranging impact. Cognitively, an important dimension is how children understand the concept of victimization and the perception of responsibility for the event. Older children may be more at risk in this respect, because they are better able to understand the stigma associated with victimization. The section on assessment focuses on whether treatment is needed, since not all teenagers who are sexually abused need treatment; the initial interview; assessing attributions; and psychological testing. The section of the chapter on treatment addresses the initial treatment plan, abuse-focused therapy, education as therapy, individual therapy, group therapy, acute inpatient treatment, and treatment compliance. The authors note that there is currently a lack of well-controlled treatment studies that involve sexually abused adolescents. 97 references