NOBODY TOLD ME - CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE

• NCJ Number: 67359
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 0 pages
• Corporate Author: Feminist Radio Network
• Sale Source: Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program; Feminist Radio Network
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. 29 MINUTES

Annotation

THIS RADIO PROGRAM DISCUSSES CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, PARTICULARLY THE UNMET NEEDS OF THE VICTIME AND OF THE OFFENDER. CASE HISTORIES ARE RELATED AS EVIDENCE OF THE VICTIMS' PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL TRAUMA.

Abstract

STUDIES SHOW THAT ABOUT 1 IN 50 BOYS AND 1 IN 10 GIRLS ARE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AS CHILDREN; MOST OF THESE CASES GO UNREPORTED. THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IS INCEST COMMITTED BY A FATHER ON HIS DAUGHTER. DATA SHOW THAT 97 PERCENT OF CHILD SEXUAL ASSUALTS ARE COMMITTED BY MEN AND 90 PERCENT OF THE VICTIMS ARE GIRLS. 'INCEST' HERE IS USED IN THE SENSE OF AN ADULT EXPLOITING A CHILD TO MEET THE ADULT'S NEEDS, WITH INTERCOURSE USUALLY OCCURRING. HOWEVER, OTHER SEXUAL ACTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION. MYTHS ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ARE THAT (1) THE CHILD WHO RELATES THAT SUCH AN INCIDENT TOOK PLACE IS LYING OR FANTASIZING AND (2) MOST SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN IS PREPETRATED BY STRANGERS. HOWEVER, 75 PERCENT OF ALL CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IS DONE BY SOMEONE THE CHILD KNOWS; MOST CHILDREN FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TELL ANOTHER PERSON WHAT IS HAPPENING, ALTHOUGH MOST TRY TO CONFIDE IN SOMEONE. MOST SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS BY THEIR FATHERS IS NOT DONE TO MEET THE SEXUAL NEEDS OF THE PARENT, BUT RATHER CONSTITUTES AN AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT ACT. MOST INCESTUOUS FATHERS HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THEIR DAUGHRERS' WELFARE OR NEEDS. NO RATIONALIZATIONS CAN PLACE THE BLAME FOR SUCH RELATIONSHIPS UPON THE CHILDREN INVOLVED; ADULT MALES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. ABUSED CHILDREN NEED TO BE PLACED IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT OUTSIDE THE FAMILY WHEN THE ABUSE OCCURS WITHIN THE FAMILY. HOWEVER, MANY CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH THE FAMILY STRUCTURE THAN WITH THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL ABUSED CHILD. TO PLACE A GIRL BACK IN HER HOME WITH HER FATHER WHO COMMITTED INCEST IS TANTAMOUNT TO MAKING A WOMEN LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE WITH HER RAPIST. 'SAFE HOUSES' ARE NEEDED FOR CHILDREN AND INFORMATION ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE SHOULD BE PART OF CHILDREN'S SEX EDUCATION COURSES. (PRG)