NCJ Number
212889
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 20 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2005 Pages: 341-348
Date Published
October 2005
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study explored the effect of having a history of child sexual abuse (CSA) on decisions to return to abusive relationships in adulthood.
Abstract
Study findings indicated support for the hypothesis that a history of CSA can affect patterns of remaining in, or returning to, abusive relationships during adulthood. The CSA survivors in the current study were significantly more likely than their nonabused counterparts to report a greater number of past separations. CSA survivors were also significantly more likely to report that their decision to return to an abusive relationship was based on emotional attachment to the batterer. However, CSA survivors did not perceive themselves to be at greater risk for remaining in a cycle of abuse with their intimate partner. Participants were 104 female residents of a residential facility for domestic violence victims who completed a structured interview assessing CSA history, domestic violence history and severity, reasons for leaving in the past, and perceived likelihood of returning in the future. Thirty-two percent of the sample had suffered CSA victimization. The analysis suggests that battered women with long histories of CSA may be less likely to permanently leave an abusive relationship because of their own difficulty in coping with the emotional experience of leaving the batterer. Clinical implications are discussed and include the importance of assessing domestic violence victims for the presence of prior victimization. Tables, references