Behind the playground walls: sexual abuse in preschools

Abstract

Representing over 6 years of research with children reporting nonritualistic and ritualistic sexual abuse in preschool settings, BEHIND THE PLAYGROUND WALLS is a clear, comprehensive examination of the effects of reported molestation on young children and their families. Based on data gathered from the children, parents, and therapists in a comparison study, the book covers the effects on children's behavior, fears, PTSD symptoms, sexuality, achievement, school performance, and self-concept. Moreover, the ways in which the children and their families coped with reports of abuse and the factors associated with positive short- and long-term outcome are detailed. Part I of the book outlines the scope of the problem. Cases from two communities - alleged ritualistic abuse in several preschools in Manhattan Beach, California, and nonritualistic abuse in a preschool day care setting in Reno, Nevada - are described and compared with a control group of nonabused children from southern California. The background literature is reviewed, as are the methods, procedures, and limitations of the study. Chapters in Part II offer perspectives on what happened to the children and the patterns of disclosure in therapy. Part III concentrates on the aftermath of such cases, with separate chapters on the children's overall levels of distress and cognitive, emotional, interpersonal, sexual, and school-related effects. The impact of sexual abuse on the children's parents, families, and therapists is discussed in Part IV. Factors that were associated with positive outcome for the children, both in the short term and at follow-up 5 years after initial disclosure, are then covered in Part V. Rounding out thevolume, Part VI presents community and research perspectives on the findings by well-known child abuse experts, and concludes with the authors' recommendations for treatment. Offering important new insights on a timely and critical topic, BEHIND THE PLAYGROUND WALLS is valuable reading