NCJ Number
96691
Journal
Life Volume: 7 Issue: 13 Dated: (December 1984) Pages: 35-42,47-52,56-60,62
Date Published
1984
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report on child sexual abuse describes the occurrence of abuse in one family, examines programs to treat offenders and to help victims, and suggests methods for detecting abuse.
Abstract
In the case study presented, a father abused his two daughters, Emily, who was 18 months, and Erica, who was 3 years old. The article describes the father's abuse and the anguish suffered by the children and their mother. The mother cofounded a self-help group to help other mothers of victims. The daughters' therapy program is also discussed. In addition, the article delineates characteristics of pedophiles and considers theories about causes for this aberrant behavior. Ways to stop child molestation are outlined, and approaches to treatment are explored. Effects of molestation on child victims are chronicled, and the various steps to recovery, beginning with confiding the secret to a therapist, are enumerated. The article emphasizes that prevention is the key to stopping child sexual abuse children must be taught the difference between 'good touching' and 'bad touching'. Actions that parents should take if their children admit to being molested are listed. These include expressing belief in the child, emphasizing that the offender did wrong, and calling the police or rape crisis center. Nine sources of additional information are listed; 31 photographs are included.