NCJ Number
117018
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Following a review of conceptual obstacles to treatment of child sexual abuse, this article assesses progress to date in the understanding and treatment of sexually abused children.
Abstract
The bulk of professional attention and funding has gone to cases involving father/stepfather-daughter/stepdaughter sexual abuse and, to a lesser extent, pedophilia. This has been coupled with a tendency to view incest as differing from other types of child sexual abuse; a focus on the abuse as a mental health problem; and less attention to the contribution of economic, social, and other factors to such abuse. Three stages of professional intervention in sexual abuse can be identified. The first involves recognition that a problem exists and the decision of whether the abuse should be reported to child protection and criminal justice agencies. The next stage is concerned with preventing system-induced trauma due to insensitive handling of victims by medical, legal, mental health, and social service professionals. The third stage consists of clinical interventions, including traditional psychotherapy and specialized programs that differ according to professional attitudes toward the criminal justice system, treatment goals (i.e., protecting the child, preserving the family), and individual versus family perspectives. Most of these programs offer a combination of individual, dyadic, and group therapy. Evaluation of such programs is needed. 25 notes and references.