NCJ Number
105412
Date Published
1987
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper on child sexual abuse discusses definitional issues, victim demographic characteristics, psychological effects on victims, theoretical explanations of sexually abusive behavior against children, prevention, and treatment.
Abstract
The proposed definition of child sexual abuse is sexual stimulation inappropriate for the child's age, level of psychosexual development, and role in the family. Definitional problems particularly relate to the identification of factors that promote or inhibit optimal psychosexual development. The discussion of victim demographic characteristics addresses the extent of abuse and victims' sex and social class. The review of reserach on the psychological effects of sexual abuse on child victims and victims as adults addresses intrafamilial child sexual abuse, distinctive effects on male and female victims, sexual abuse by a stranger, child pornography, and child prostitution. Theoretical explanations of child molestation focus on motivation, overcoming internal inhibitors, factors predisposing a person to the overcoming of external inhibitors, and the offender's handling of the child's resistance. Prevention and treatment programs are briefly described and evaluation results reported. 104 references.