COUNSELING YOUNG VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES (FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, 1978 BY A W BURGESS, A N GROTH, L L HOLMSTROM, AND S M SGROI - SEE NCJ-45153)

• NCJ Number: 45165
• Author(s): A W BURGESS; L L HOLMSTROM; M P MCCAUSLAND
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 24 pages
• Corporate Author: Lexington Books
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

TECHNIQUES IN COUNSELING YOUNG VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE DESCRIBED, WITH REFERENCE TO CASE EXAMPLES.

Abstract

THE TWO MAIN TECHNIQUES RECOMMENDED FOR SETTLING SEXUAL TRAUMA IN CHILDREN AT THE TIME OF DISCLOSURE ARE ENCOURAGING THE CHILD TO TALK AND USING MEDIA AND AGE-RELATED TOYS. THE VICTIM CRISIS CONCEPTS THAT FORM THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR THESE AND OTHER COUNSELING TECHNIQUES ARE NOTED, AS ARE AREAS OF ASSESSMENT TO BE COVERED BY THE COUNSELOR. ASSESSMENT AREAS INCLUDE DEVELOPMENTAL BASELINE (INFORMATION ON WHICH TO BASE EVALUATION AND MONITORING OF CHANGES), THE CHILD'S RESPONSE TO STRESS, FAMILY INTEGRITY, FAMILY RESPONSE TO STRESS, AND IMPACT OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULT. DETAILS OF METHODS FOR APPLYING THE TWO MAJOR COUNSELING TECHNIQUES IN WORKING WITH VICTIMS OF VARIOUS AGES ARE DISCUSSED AND ILLUSTRATED IN CASE EXAMPLES. A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF VICTIM COUNSELING IN A CASE OF RAPE-INCEST POINTS UP FOUR CONCEPTUAL MODELS -- MEDICAL, SOCIAL NETWORK, BEHAVIORAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL -- FOR UNDERSTANDING AND INTERVENING IN CRISIS PROBLEMS. WAYS OF HELPING PARENTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT BEFORE IT HAPPENS ARE SUGGESTED. INTERAGENCY COOPERATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING IN PREVENTING INTERVENING IN SEXUAL ASSAULT ON CHILDREN ARE DISCUSSED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.