NCJ Number
59109
Date Published
1979
Length
202 pages
Annotation
A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN IS PRESENTED, AND THE NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS AND OPENNESS IS EMPHASIZED.
Abstract
BASED ON NUMEROUS STATISTICAL REPORTS DESIGNED FOR A GENERAL AUDIENCE, THE STUDY EXAMINES VARIOUS KINDS OF SEXUAL CHILD ABUSE: SEXUAL ABUSE OF FEMALE CHILDREN, INCEST (WITH AN EMPHASIS ON FATHER-DAUGHTER INCEST); THE SEXUAL MISUSE OF MALE CHILDREN; CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, OBSCENITY, AND PROSTITUTION; AND THREE CASES OF CHILDREN RAISED IN A DEVIANT SEXUAL ENVIRONMENT. SEXUAL CHILD ABUSE IS DIFFICULT TO PREVENT SINCE APPROXIMATELY THREE FOURTHS OF THE SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST CHILDREN ARE COMMITTED BY ADULTS WHOM THE CHILD KNOWS AND TRUSTS. SINCE THE PUBLIC ATTITUDE OF SECRECY WITH REGARD TO SEXUAL ABUSE IS THE SINGLE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO MORE EFFECTIVE PREVENTION, SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAKING THE OFFENSE A PUBLIC ISSUE ARE MADE: THE NEED FOR UNIFORM STATE LAWS AND NATIONAL REPORTING SYSTEMS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TOLL-FREE HOTLINES TO FACILITATE REPORTING, BROAD PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON SEX ABUSE, PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT FOR ALL VICTIMS TO PREVENT THEM FROM BECOMING CHILD MOLESTERS THEMSELVES, AND A MORE SENSITIVE HANDLING OF THE VICTIMS BY AUTHORITIES. PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC NEED TO COME TO TERMS WITH THEIR OVEREMOTIONAL AND PUNITIVE FEELINGS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE; SOCIETY AS A WHOLE SHOULD DEVELOP HEALTHIER ATTITUDES TOWARD SEX. NOTES, AN INDEX, AND 25 REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.