NCJ Number
151809
Date Published
1994
Length
208 pages
Annotation
A clinical process that has proven highly effective for evaluating and clarifying child sexual abuse cases is known as the Kempe Interactional Assessment for Parent-Child Sexual Abuse.
Abstract
The process facilitates the compilation of reliable data without the pressure of directly questioning children. It recognizes that even preverbal and nonverbal children can speak for themselves about experiences with important people in their lives. By accurately recognizing, understanding, and translating children's communications, the Kempe assessment technique provides first-hand information for clinical and legal professionals that might otherwise be ignored. The technique is comprised of three parts: (1) clinical interview with each parent in the child's presence; (2) videotaped observations of parent-child interactions; and (3) individual play interview with the child. Case illustrations demonstrate various ways in which children communicate their sexual abuse experiences and show how sexually abusive relationships develop and are maintained within the family system. Case studies also clearly illustrate the Kempe assessment technique's value when other approaches may not be effective in distinguishing sexually and nonsexually abusive family relationships. The authors view parent-child sexual abuse as an attachment disorder and discuss factors that lead to and maintain incestuous relationships. They also cover such topics as the unresolved childhood trauma of parents, behavioral clues to childhood experiences, specific ways in which children communicate, and opportunities for helping professions. 42 references and 16 figures