NCJ Number
207455
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: 2004 Pages: 21-39
Date Published
2004
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study of 58 sexually abused children referred for clinical psychological services in Hong Kong in 1999 compared the characteristics and disclosure patterns of children with multiple incidents of abuse and those with single incidents.
Abstract
Ninety-five percent of the subjects were females who ranged in age from 4 to 18. The children were distinguished by those who had experienced only a single incident (SI) of sexual abuse prior to disclosure (33 percent of the sample) and those who had experienced multiple incidents (MI) of abuse (67 percent of the sample). The nature of the abuse was categorized by the seriousness of the sexual acts as measured by their intrusiveness. Consistent with Western studies, this study found that children in the MI group were more likely to have been sexually abused by a family member than those in the SI group. No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the severity of the abuse. The majority of those in the MI group were abused in places that were within the abusers' sphere of power (residence or office). When the abusers lived with the children, multiple incidents of abuse were more likely to occur. The mere presence of another person at home did not ensure a child's safety. Those in the MI group tolerated the abuse longer than those in the SI group, suggesting that various factors were more likely to obstruct disclosure when the abuser was a family member. Suggestions are offered for future work with cases of child sexual abuse. 8 tables, 18 references, and appended fact sheet of sexual abuse cases