NCJ Number
92264
Journal
Victimology - An International Journal Volume: 5 Issue: 2-4 Dated: (1982) Pages: 311-321
Date Published
1982
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Child Sexual Abuse may be the most disturbing and damaging form of child maltreatment.
Abstract
In working with families wherein incest has occurred we find that these families are so fragmented and traumatized, the most proficient approach includes a combined force and network of professionals and paraprofessionals working interchangeably in well-defined roles. The professional realm includes direct clinical services -- individual, couple, group, and family crisis intervention, and management and coordination duties in the development of programs to assist victims and their families. Paraprofessionals represent rehabilitated families, wherein sexual child abuse has occurred. Under the training, supervision and monitoring of professional experts in the area of sexual abuse, these families are utilized to respond supportively to victimized families, usually under crisis or major stress. The participation of the paraprofessional sponsors, who are in a real sense victims themselves, is also a part of their total treatment. From research that has been carried out on our specific population, 50% or more of the cases made improvement in seven out of ten family task assessment areas, examined at time of entry, at a six-months and year time frame. In spite of the improved areas noted, the family at one year is not functioning at a so-called normal level, indicating the need for long term treatment, support, and service delivery. This has significant impact on the policy and planning issues of treating such victimization cases. In this program each family member is viewed as a victim, with treatment available for each of these victimized family members. (Author abstract)