NCJ Number
165973
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1997) Pages: 35-48
Date Published
1997
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the naturalistic therapy experiences of a sample of sexually abused girls in the District of Columbia and the relationship of these experiences to demographic factors, abuse, psychopathology, and family functioning.
Abstract
The sample consisted of 81 sexually abused girls between 6 and 16 years of age who participated in a longitudinal study of the effects of sexual abuse. Of the 81 girls, 78 had been sexually abused by a family member and 3 were abused by a trusted adult (neighbor or babysitter); 22 percent were abused by a biological or adoptive father, 34 percent by a step-parent or live-in boyfriend, and the remainder by a sibling or other relative. With the exception of one subject who was abused by her stepmother, all perpetrators were male. In 70 percent of cases, the abuse included vaginal or anal penetration. Results indicated strong effects for abuse experiences and child psychopathology on the total amount of therapy received. Treatment utilization patterns were associated with ethnic minority status, but these differences were confounded by variations in abuse experiences for racial groups in the sample. Other treatment utilization patterns are discussed, as well as issues for further research and implications for treatment providers. 33 references, 4 tables, and 1 figure