NCJ Number
55685
Date Published
1978
Length
34 pages
Annotation
PART OF AN INTERIM LEGISLATIVE REPORT, THIS SURVEY OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN TEXAS PROFILES VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS AND DISCUSSES MEDICAL, LEGAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH STUDIES INDICATE ABOUT 100,000 CASES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE REPORTED EACH YEAR, 50 TO 80 PERCENT OF ALL CASES ARE NEVER REPORTED. ALTHOUGH MOST REPORTED VICITMS ARE GIRLS, VICTIMIZATION OF BOYS MAY BE HIGHER BUT UNDETECTED DUE TO LACK OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. CONTRARY TO COMMON BELIEF, MOST CHILD SEX ABUSERS (70-80 PERCENT), ARE NOT STRANGERS BUT FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS, EXPLAINING WHY MOST ABUSE OCCURS WITHOUT VIOLENCE. CHILDREN PARTICIPATE THROUGH ENTICEMENT OR BECAUSE ADULT AUTHORITY IS OVERWHELMING. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE TYPICAL CHILD SEXUAL ABUSER IS MALE, 35-40 YEARS OLD, SPORADICALLY EMPLOYED, MARRIED WITH CHILDREN, UNAGGRESSIVE AND DEPENDENT, AND PREOCCUPIED WITH SEX. ALCOHOL PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN ABUSE INCIDENTS. BECAUSE PHYSICIANS MAY BE THE FIRST TO DETECT SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE, ADVISE IS INCLUDED ON THE MEDICAL SYMPTOMS OF ABUSE AND PROPER MEASURES TO TAKE IN CASE SIGNS OF ABUSE ARE FOUND. FAMILIES IN WHICH SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN TAKES PLACE ARE GENERALLY NEGLECTFUL, BESET WITH PROBLEMS, AND ON WELFARE. HOWEVER, FAMILIES IN WHICH INCEST OCCURS ARE OFTEN OUTWARDLY STABLE WITH RIGID FATHERS, DEPENDENT MOTHERS, AND LIMITED OUTSIDE CONTACTS. LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SUCH ABUSE ON CHILDREN ARE SERIOUS IN PROPORTION TO ITS DURATION, TYPE, AND CLOSENESS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE OFFENDER AND VICTIM. ALTHOUGH FEW STUDIES HAVE BEEN DONE, VICTIMS ARE OFTEN PLAGUED BY DISRUPTED RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGES, ALCOHOLISM, AND OTHER FUTURE PROBLEMS. COURTS AND PROFESSIONALS ARE GENERALLY INSENSITIVE TO SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN AND INCREASE THEIR TRAUMA THROUGH COURT PROCEEDINGS. LEGAL RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE STATUTES SENSITIVE TO VICTIMS' NEEDS AND IMPROVED MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR OFFENDERS. (PAP)