Treatment Of Child Sexual Abuse Research Articles

Impact of a clinician's sexual abuse history, gender, and theoretical orientation on treatment issues related to childhood sexual abuse.

This study examined the impact of childhood sexual abuse history (CSA), gender, and theoretical orientation on treatment issues related to childhood sexual abuse. A survey of 501 clinicians found that 32% reported CSA histories. Sexually abused therapists were more likely to report some countertransference issues, especially boundary issues, than nonabused therapists, but gender differences were more important in determining differences in clinical practice. Female clinicians reported that CSA was more difficult to treat, that they screened more regularly for CSA, and that they utilized more coping strategies than male clinicians. Dissimilarities were also found between self-identified feminist therapists and psychoanalysts in their clinical practices, including the use of personality disorder diagnoses, reported countertransference issues, and coping strategies. Greater recognition of these issues in training programs is recommended. The assessment and treatment of child and adult victims of sexual and physical abuse poses complex challenges for professionals. Despite the fact that 40-60% of all psychiatric patients have histories of significant trauma, clinical controversies in treatment perspectives and practices are common (Ganzarain & Buchele, 1986; Wilson & Lindy, 1994). Disputes abound concerning the truth or falsity of abuse accounts, whether to screen routinely for abuse, the consequences of assigning a personality disorder diagnosis versus a posttraumatic stress diagnosis, and the sometimes devastating impact of countertransference responses of therapists treating the vexing problems related to early childhood trauma (Attias, 1986; Demetral, 1984, Doughty & Schneider, 1987; Elliott & Guy, 1993; Howe, Herzberger & Tennen, 1988; Pope & Feldman-Summers, 1992; Pruitt & Kappius, 1992; Swingle, 1987). Ideally, a clinician's personal history, gender, or theoretical orientation should not further confound these issues. Despite a growing awareness of the importance of the therapist's reactions and countertransference processes in the treatment of trauma-related issues, however, there has been little empirical examination of the influence of therapist variables on clinical practice in the treatment of childhood sexual abuse (Nathan, 1986). The purpose of this study

Family violence: a clinical and legal guide

Physical abuse of children and adolescents. Child and adolescent neglect and emotional maltreatment of children. Overview of child sexual abuse. Treatment and prevention of child sexual abuse. Spouse abuse and domestic violence. Elder abuse. Adult survivors of child abuse and neglect. Memories of childhood trauma: therapeutic considerations for assessment and treatment. Appendix. Index.

Response to Cross and Saxe's ?A Critique of the Validity of Polygraph Testing in Child Sexual Abuse Cases?

Cross and Saxe published an article in Journal of Child Sexual Abuse in 1992 in which they assert that is inaccurate and inappropriate for any use in the prevention, control, and treatment of child sexual abuse. We excamine the flaws in heir arguments and present a summary of recent polygraph validity and reliability studies to refutc their claims that polygraph validity and reliability has not and can not be researched. Recent studies show that field polygraph testing has overall accuracy rates of 98%. Polygraph, or psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) testing, is now widely used as: (1) part of the investigation process concerning allegations of child sexual abuse; (2) an important aid in the prevention of additional offenses by adjudicated child sexual abusers who are still in the community; and, (3) treatment of child sexual abusers in cooperation with therapists trying to help he offender overcome denial. forensic pychophysiologists are a small but important part of ...

Working with sibling incest: maintaining the balance

This article presents the work of the Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program and Adolescent Sex Offender Treatment Program, auspiced by the Children's Protection Society. The focus is upon their experiences in working with families in which sibling incest has occurred. It outlines the philosophy, principles and model of the program, gives an overview of the demographic data and client profiles, and finally reflects on practice observations relating to issues which have emerged in their work.

Training Knowledge of Professionals on Specific Topics in Child Sexual Abuse

This exploratory study examined the training background and self-reported level of knowledge of a group of professionals on specific topics in child sexual abuse. The results show that while the vast majority of those working with adult victims, female victims, and incest victims have received training, many professionals working in the area of child sexual abuse treatment have not had training on topics directly related to their work. It was found that fewer than 40% of those working with female offenders, victims and offenders who are gay or lesbian, victims and offenders who have developmental disabilities, or in cases where cultural issues are relevant, have had training in working with these types of cases. Those professionals who had received training reported feeling more knowledgeable on these topics than did those without training. It is recommended that graduate degree programs and continuing education programs examine their offerings in the area of child sexual abuse.

BREAKING THE LAST TABOO: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE BY FEMALE PERPETRATORS

In the past two decades the truth about the sexual violation of children has been spoken over and over. Finally, the magnitude of this problem is being recognised. Volumes have been written about the prevention of and intervention in child sexual abuse, and services (although inadequate) have been established. Sexual abuse by women until recently, has been treated as a taboo subject. The knowledge that the overwhelming proportion of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by males left the issue of female perpetrators unexamined. Having only recently made progress in a hard‐fought battle to place gender and male power at the centre of an analysis of sexual abuse, practitioners and theoreticians are understandably reluctant to focus any attention on female abusers. However, it is now becoming clear that a significant minority of victims are abused by women and it is essential that no child should be silenced by ideology which denies the reality of abuse by females. This article examines the controversies surrounding the issue of female sexual abuse and the struggles which we have in confronting this abuse. An explanation of sexual abuse by women within feminist understanding is proposed. Current evidence on the prevalence of female sexual abuse and characteristics of perpetrators is outlined. Practice implications for practitioners working with child victims or adult survivors are explored.

The use of children's drawings in the evaluation and treatment of child sexual, emotional, and physical abuse

Primary care physicians can be instrumental in the initial identification of potential sexual, emotional, and physical abuse of children. We reviewed the use of children's artwork as a method of communicating individual and family functioning. A quantitative method of analyzing children's artwork provides more reliability and validity than some methods used previously. A new scoring system was developed that uses individual human figure drawings and kinetic family drawings. This scoring system was based on research with 842 children (341 positively identified as sexually molested, 252 positively not sexually molested but having emotional or behavioral problems, and 249 "normal" public school children). This system is more comprehensive than previous systems of assessment of potential abuse.

Perceptions of Partner Involvement in the Therapeutic Process by Patients Who Experienced Sexual Abuse as Children

The purpose of this study was to explore the appropriateness of increased partner involvement in the therapeutic process as perceived by married female adult victims of childhood sexual abuse. The female patient in 17 heterosexual couples was interviewed in order to investigate the level of her partner's involvement in the therapeutic process and to determine the survivor's perception of appropriate partner involvement in the treatment of childhood sexual abuse. The interviews confirmed that increased partner involvement in the therapeutic process is perceived as an essential component of recovery. The participants strongly endorsed greater partner involvement in the recovery process through couple therapy to deal with related marital issues, to maintain partner support for therapy, and to educate the partner about childhood sexual abuse.

The Clinical Uses of Video Therapy in the Treatment of Childhood Sexual Trauma Survivors

The power of visual images, combined with the increased availability of video taping equipment, has dramatically expanded the use of recorded images in psychotherapy over the past three decades. However, it appears that earlier video feedback techniques may not have fully capitalized on this modality's potential for catalyzing therapeutic change. Further, we have found scant literature on the use of video therapy in the treatment of adult survivors of sexual trauma. Drawing conceptually from a trauma model, as well as from cognitive behavioral and systemic/cybernetic frameworks, this article describes the therapeutic use of video therapy in the treatment of childhood sexual abuse. In video therapy, the patient is directed to independently view video recordings of therapy sessions to help correct cognitive and affective distortions resulting from trauma. How these distortions develop within the context of an incest family trance and how they are connected with processes of conditioning and programming ar...

Group Treatment for Sexually Abused Children: Clinical Wisdom and Empirical Findings

This article examines the development and current status of the group approaches for the treatment of child sexual abuse. A group model that integrates the clinical wisdom and empirical findings from the field, and a number of therapeutic guidelines for working with this population of children and adolescents and their caretakers, are also provided.

Treatment of childhood sexual abuse in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: A feminist psychodynamic approach

In this article a parallel is drawn between the psychological problems experienced by victims of childhood sexual abuse and by clients with eating disorders. In particular, we describe how sexual abuse has a significant and lasting effect on body image, identity, self-regulation, and interpersonal functioning. Treatment issues are outlined including the nature of the healing relationship, assessment of abuse, development of capacity for self-soothing, techniques for assisting in memory recall, sculpting of images, description and reenactment of abuse, dealing with shame, and ending the cycle of repeated victimization.

Quality Assurance-A Response to ”The Backlash” Against Child Sexual Abuse Diagnosis and Treatment

No abstract available for this article.

Public Sentiment Toward Innovative Child Sexual Abuse Intervention Strategies: Consensus and Conflict

Juvenile and Family Court JournalVolume 44, Issue 3 p. 17-26 Public Sentiment Toward Innovative Child Sexual Abuse Intervention Strategies: Consensus and Conflict Gregory J. Skibinski Ph.D., Corresponding Author Gregory J. Skibinski Ph.D. Gregory J. Skibinski, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at The University of Alabama where he teaches courses in research, social work practice, child welfare and family treatment. His specialty is intrafamilial child sexual abuse intervention. He has published articles in legal and child welfare journals and has presented his work at regional, national, and international conferences. 3University of Alabama School of Social Work Box 870314 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0314 4School of Social Work The University of Alabama Box 870314 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0314Search for more papers by this authorJoan E. Esser-Stuart, Corresponding Author Joan E. Esser-Stuart Joan E. Esser-Stuart has recently joined the faculty in the School of Social Work at The University of Alabama. She was employed with The University of Alabama Capstone Poll for the past four years and worked on a variety of survey research and evaluation research projects. She teaches courses in the social work practice sequence, policy, family treatment and intervention. Her research specialities include family theory, policy, and evaluation. She has published articles and presented her work at regional, national, and international conferences. 3University of Alabama School of Social Work Box 870314 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0314 4School of Social Work The University of Alabama Box 870314 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0314Search for more papers by this author Gregory J. Skibinski Ph.D., Corresponding Author Gregory J. Skibinski Ph.D. Gregory J. Skibinski, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at The University of Alabama where he teaches courses in research, social work practice, child welfare and family treatment. His specialty is intrafamilial child sexual abuse intervention. He has published articles in legal and child welfare journals and has presented his work at regional, national, and international conferences. 3University of Alabama School of Social Work Box 870314 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0314 4School of Social Work The University of Alabama Box 870314 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0314Search for more papers by this authorJoan E. Esser-Stuart, Corresponding Author Joan E. Esser-Stuart Joan E. Esser-Stuart has recently joined the faculty in the School of Social Work at The University of Alabama. She was employed with The University of Alabama Capstone Poll for the past four years and worked on a variety of survey research and evaluation research projects. She teaches courses in the social work practice sequence, policy, family treatment and intervention. Her research specialities include family theory, policy, and evaluation. She has published articles and presented her work at regional, national, and international conferences. 3University of Alabama School of Social Work Box 870314 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0314 4School of Social Work The University of Alabama Box 870314 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0314Search for more papers by this author First published: August 1993 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-6988.1993.tb00922.x AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume44, Issue3August 1993Pages 17-26 RelatedInformation

Cultural Conditions in the Assessment and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse

Cultural Conditions in the Assessment and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse

Cultural Considerations in Assessment and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse

No abstract available for this article.

Mothers of sexually abused children: Trauma and repair in longitudinal perspective.

Mothers whose children had been sexually abused reported experiencing serious psychological symptoms following disclosure of the abuse. Over a one-year period, their emotional status improved. Strong relationships between mothers' reports of their own and their children's symptoms were accompanied by persistent discrepancies between maternal and direct assessments of the children's emotional states. Findings suggest that addressing maternal distress is important to the study and treatment of child sexual abuse.

Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse Intervention: The Impact of Juvenile Court Hearings and Felony Trial Diversions

Traditional felony prosecutions of child sexual abusers are problematic because physical evidence is uncommon (Bulkley, 1982b), making the charges difficult to prove. In such instances, the case will hinge on the testimony of the child victim, who may be secondarily victimized by the process. When the accused is a family member, the problem is compounded if the child is afraid to testify against a relative (Costin, et al, 1991). Necessary treatment for the offender andvictim is not forthcoming in traditional felony litigation and the already disrupted family will suffer further. As a corrective response, mental health and legal professionals have collaborated to create innovative intervention strategies in many jurisdictions. In 1981, more than 300 such programs were identified by the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (unpublished list). The number is probably higher today. This article investigates child sexual abuse intervention strategies by focusing on three jurisdictions in which felony trial diversions, juvenile court petitions, and treatment programs are intertwined into intervention strategies for first-time, intrafamilial offenders. The purpose of this article is to describe the three programs, then analyze the strategies to determine the type of services each client received.

Child sexual abuse and couple therapy

Abstract There has been a dramatic increase in recent years in our awareness and understanding of the incidence, causes and treatment of child sexual abuse. However, the impact of such experiences on victims' adult intimate relationships and in particular, the implications of such experiences for the focus and process of couple therapy has remained substantially ignored. This article seeks to remedy this situation by considering the research evidence relating to child sexual abuse and exploring the complex links between child sexual abuse and couple problems. Our contention is that in the light of this evidence, couple therapists can now no longer afford to ignore the possible existence and impact of early childhood experiences of sexual abuse in their work with couples and that, apart from the therapeutic importance of addressing such issues, such work may have a significant contribution to make in breaking the ‘cycle of abuse’.

Professional attitudes regarding the sexual abuse of children: Comparing police, child welfare and community mental health

A survey was completed involving three of the key professional groups engaged in the investigation and treatment of child sexual abuse. Police, child welfare and community mental health in a large, rural geographic area in Canada completed attitudinal items relating to professional response to child sexual abuse. An empirical scale was created which was comprised of three orthogonal factors, each with acceptable levels of internal consistency: 1) Beliefs in regard to the extensiveness and seriousness of the issue; 2) treatment versus punishment priority; and 3) view regarding identity of those who perpetrate child sexual abuse. Important gender differences were found across professional groupings in attitute toward sexual abuse. Greatest difference in attitude between service sectors was tied to emphasis placed on treatment versus punishment as a primary aspect of professional intervention. Significant differences were found between child welfare and police, the two service sectors most needing a coordinated approach during the “investigative phase” of professional intervention.

The role of helplessness in the recovery process for sexual trauma survivors.

In the present paper we illustrate, with two clinical case examples, the important role of helplessness in the recovery process for sexual trauma survivors, and its relationship to other dynamic themes. Both cases are drawn from a study of the process of recovery in incest survivors undergoing trauma-focused group psychotherapy. Data for the examples were collected by interviews structured to evaluate schema and affect change over the course of treatment, and illustrative clinical narratives are included in the presentation. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 1992. Copyright © 1992 by the Canadian Psychological Association) Adult Survivor Adult Female Adult Treatment Helplessness Sexual Assault Effects Sexual Assault Treatment Sexual Assault Victim Incest Effects Incest Treatment Incest Victim Domestic Violence Effects Domestic Violence Victim Domestic Violence Treatment Female Victim Child Abuse Effects Child Abuse Treatment Child Abuse Victim Child Female Child Sexual Abuse Effects Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Child Sexual Abuse Victim Child Victim Childhood Victimization Childhood Experience Psychological Victimization Effects Long-Term Effects Psychotherapy Group Treatment 02-02