NCJ Number
46887
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
FILMED EXCERPTS FROM COUNSELING SESSIONS WITH FOUR WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED AS CHILDREN ARE PRESENTED TO SHOW THE EFFECTS OF SUCH ABUSE ON PERSONS LATER IN LIFE AND TO ILLUSTRATE EFFECTIVE COUNSELING TECHNIQUES.
Abstract
EACH OF THE FOUR WOMEN HAD AS A CHILD BEEN ABUSED BY HER FATHER, CLOSE RELATIVES, OR OTHER MALES LIVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD; ONE HAD EVEN BEEN FORCED TO HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH HER MOTHER. THE YOUNG WOMEN PARTICIPATED IN A 2-DAY WORKSHOP DESIGNED TO HELP THEM RECOGNIZE AND RELEASE THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM AS CHILDREN, COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER WOMEN WHO HAD HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, AND LEARN TO COPE WITH THEIR PAST AND ADJUST TO PRESENT PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. THE FILM FOCUSES ON EACH OF THE WOMEN IN TURN AND SHOWS HER RELATING HER EXPERIENCES TO THE COUNSELOR AND TO THE GROUP AS A WHOLE. THE COUNSELOR SERVES TO ENCOURAGE THE WOMEN TO SPEAK WHEN THEY BEGIN TO WITHDRAW AND TO COMFORT THEM WHEN THEY BECOME TOO UPSET SHE IS CAREFUL NOT TO BECOME A CRUTCH TO THEM, THEREBY FORCING THE WOMEN TO STAND UP TO THEIR FEELINGS. THE COUNSELOR'S MALE PARTNER STEPS IN PERIODICALLY TO SERVE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE ABUSING FIGURE. EACH WOMAN IS ENCURAGED TO PUSH HIM, SHOUT AT HIM, OR DO WHATEVER IT IS THAT SHE WISHED SHE COULD HAVE DONE TO HER AGGRESSOR WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD AND POWERLESS TO DO SO. SHE IS ENCOURAGED TO SPEAK OUT AND EXPLAIN THE WAY SHE WANTS TO BE REGARDED AND TREATED NOW THAT SHE IS AN ADULT. SEGMENTS ABOUT EACH WOMAN AFTER HER 'TURN' PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE WAYS IN WHICH SHE FEELS THE WORKSHOP HELPED HER AND THE EFFECT SHE BELIEVES IT WILL HAVE ON HER RELATIONSHIPS WITH HUSBAND AND CHILDREN AND WITH MEN IN GENERAL, AND ON HER FEELINGS TOWARD SEX, TOUCHING, AND PERSONAL WARMTH. (VDA)