NCJ Number
149451
Date Published
Unknown
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This paper is designed to provide prospective adoptive parents with basic information about child sexual abuse and special considerations for parents who adopt these children.
Abstract
Child sexual abuse rarely involves physical force and does not always involve physical touching. An estimated 1 in 4 females and 1 in 8 males experience sexual abuse in some way before they are age 18. Foster care and adoption social workers believe that the percentages of children in foster care who have been sexually abused are much higher. Several physical and behavioral signs indicate the possibility of sexual abuse. Several factors influence the extent of the child's trauma and the subsequent healing process. Prospective adoptive parents must be honest with themselves and their adoption worker about several key issues. They must also be willing to experience embarrassing situations, at least for a while; wait for the child's commitment while not putting off their own; and keep their sense of humor. Although adoptive parents cannot erase the previous experience, they have the opportunity to provide the child with new, healthier experiences and to help the child grow into a healthy adult. Lists of resource organizations and recommended readings for children, parents, and professionals