NCJ Number
116947
Date Published
1983
Length
71 pages
Annotation
This resource manual for social service professionals contains current information of the intervention and treatment of child sexual abuse.
Abstract
Nineteen percent of all American women and nine percent of all men were sexually victimized as children. This is one of the many facts presented in this manual to relate the severity of the problem of child sexual abuse. The two types of offenders are child rapists and child molestors. Of these two types, the rapist is the most violent and capable of the greater physical danger to the child. The stages of victimization are the engagement phase, sexual interaction phase, secrecy phase, disclosure phase, and suppression phase. The characteristics of the perpetrator include emotional immaturity and the inability to meet needs for closeness through nonphysical contact. The characteristics of the mother, siblings, and victim are also discussed. The symptoms of child sexual abuse can be physical (unexplained bleeding), emotional (depression), and behavioral (hyperactivity). Interpersonal changes, such as sudden lack of interest in friends or school activities, can occur. Indicators of false complaints about incest include the absence of a progression of sexual activity and absence of the elements of secrecy. 11 references and appendices.