NCJ Number
137151
Date Published
1991
Length
86 pages
Annotation
This book describes a variety of experiences which have been observed and shared with non-offending mothers of children who were sexually abused by someone in their families.
Abstract
Suggestions are proposed to help therapists assist non-offending mothers of children who were sexually abused to deal with the aftermath of their child's sexual abuse. The mothers encountered are diverse in their personalities, backgrounds, and socioeconomic status, and it is an error to assume that their needs and responses will be identical. A non-offending mother's crisis begins with the disclosure or discovery of the abuse and, hopefully, also represents the conclusion of the incest and the beginning of the healing process for the child. The therapist needs to recognize that the mother may not have the immediate resources to focus all of her energy and attention on the well-being of her child and needs time and support for her own healing to occur.