NCJ Number
102061
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (1985) Pages: 191-199
Date Published
1985
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study compares the case characteristics of male and female child sexual abuse victims in the areas of family composition, perpetrators, continuation of abuse, and types of services for victims and their families.
Abstract
This study reviewed 304 cases of sexual abuse reported to a child abuse hotline between 1976 and 1979. Sexual abuse was substantiated in 205 cases. Twenty-five cases involved male victims, and females were victimized in the remaining 180 cases. Male victims were significantly younger than the female victims (8.6 compared to 10.6 average age). Male victims were more likely to live in homes without a father. When treatment was recommended, male victims were more likely to complete treatment, but they were seen for less time than females. (The average time in treatment was less than 16 hours for males.) This is minimal when compared to the average time in individual treatment (39 hours) reported in a survey of sexual abuse treatment centers. Male perpetrators who abused male victims received harsher dispositions than male abusers of females. They were more likely to be imprisoned and diagnosed mentally ill. Differences between cases of male and female sexual abuse victims should be identified and managed accordingly to ensure that male victims receive treatment and protection equivalent to female victims. 4 tables and 21 references.