NCJ Number
166014
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1997) Pages: 1-3
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Hidden aspects of child abuse covered in this issue of the Child Abuse Review include the inadequate understanding of child sexual abuse and the emotional abuse and neglect experienced by children with alcoholic parents.
Abstract
Taylor-Browne argues that the sexual abuse of children is still not recognized or acknowledged as a significant social problem. A common example of the way child sexual abuse is obscured is many schools' practice of educating children on how to keep themselves safe from abuse by strangers. However, approximately one-third of child sexual abuse is committed by family members living with the child and another third by family friends, acquaintances, or relatives living elsewhere. The focus on stranger danger may give children and parents a confused picture about the true nature of child sexual abuse and place some children at increased risk of being exploited by trusted individuals. Moran and colleagues note that children have difficulty in understanding even the concept of stranger danger and are vulnerable up to 10 years of age. Christensen reports that children of alcoholics are aware of their parents' problems, at first try to help stop them from drinking too much, and later become afraid to seek help on behalf of themselves or their parents. Reder and Duncan examine fatal child abuse cases and note that the families are already known to the agencies involved. Stanley and Goddard focus on repeat victimization of children. 1 reference