NCJ Number
58608
Journal
New York State Journal of Medicine Volume: 78 Issue: 4 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 612-616
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL CONCEPTS EMBODIED IN THE DEFINITION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ARE CONSIDERED, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SEXUAL OFFENDERS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF SEXUAL ABUSE ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
CONSEQUENCES OF SEXUALLY ABUSING CHILDREN ARE MORE OFTEN PSYCHOLOGICAL THAN PHYSICAL. SINCE SEXUAL INVOLVEMENT OF CHILDREN BY ADULTS IS NOT OFTEN A VIOLENT ACT, IN CONTRAST TO THE CRIMINAL RAPE OF ADOLESCENTS OR ADULT WOMEN, ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE TRUE NUMBER OF SEXUAL ABUSE CASES RECEIVES ATTENTION. FACTORS AFFECTING THE REPORTING OF SEXUAL ABUSE ARE PERSONAL EMBARRASSMENT, LACK OF MEDICAL CORROBORATION, AND RELUCTANCE OF MANY TO BECOME INVOLVED. THE MAJORITY OF SEXUAL VICTIMS ARE GIRLS, ALTHOUGH BOYS ARE OFTEN OBJECTS OF ABUSE. INCEST IS A PHENOMENON OF CONVENIENCE AS MUCH AS ANY OTHER MOTIVATION FOR THOSE WHO WOULD SEEK CHILD PARTNERS. BROTHER-SISTER INCEST IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON FORM OF INCEST IN UPPER-CLASS AND MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES. FATHER-DAUGHTER INCEST IS NEXT IN FREQUENCY IN LOWER-CLASS HOMES. MOTHER-SON, FATHER-SON, AND MOTHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONS ARE LESS FREQUENT OCCURRENCES. SEX DRIVE AND THE DESIRE FOR GRATIFICATION ARE NOT PRIMARY MOTIVATIONS FOR CHILD MOLESTATION. STUDIES INDICATE THAT INCESTUOUS PARENTS WERE OFTEN SEXUALLY MALTREATED DURING CHILDHOOD. ADULTS WHO SEXUALLY MISUSE CHILDREN ARE CHARACTERIZED AS HAVING NORMAL INTELLIGENCE WITH NO PSYCHOTIC OR EXHIBITING OVERT PSYCHOPATHOLOGY. THESE ADULTS USUALLY HAVE A PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE PERSONALITY DISORDER WITH FEELINGS OF INFERIORITY. THEY HAVE STRONG DEPENDENCY NEEDS AND ARE OFTEN INEFFECTIVE IN THEIR JOBS. AS A RULE, PEDOPHILES ARE MORE PASSIVE THAN RAPISTS. THE MOST DEPRAVED FORM OF SEXUAL ABUSE OCCURS WHEN CHILDREN ARE SUBJECTED TO ACTS OF INTERCOURSE, SODOMY, OR PEEP SHOWS AND FILM MAKING. YOUNG CHILDREN, IN REACTING TO SEXUAL ABUSE, ARE OFTEN UNABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR ACTIONS. OLDER CHILDREN MAY FEEL FLATTERED AND EXCITED BY THE STIMULATION AND, THEREFORE, MAY BECOME WILLING PARTICIPANTS. MANY TIMES, CHILDREN ARE BRIBED WITH CANDY, TOYS, MONEY, OR OTHER MATERIAL GOODS, AND SOME FEAR PUNISHMENT IF THEY DO NOT COOPERATE OR IF THEIR ACTIVITIES ARE REVEALED. LONG-TERM MEDICAL CARE, WITH PSYCHIATRIC FOLLOWUP WHEN INDICATED, ARE NECESSARY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN AND PARENTS INVOLVED IN SEXUAL ABUSE. GENERAL EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE IS ALSO ESSENTIAL. PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS AND MEDICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF SEXUAL ABUSE ARE DISCUSSED. REFERENCES ARE CITED. (DEP)