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Spectrum of Sexual Abuse in DayCare: An Exploratory Study

NCJ Number
118816
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (1988) Pages: 283-298
Author(s)
K C Faller
Date Published
1988
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study presented findings from an exploratory study of 48 children who were sexually abused in day care centers and day care homes.
Abstract
About two thirds of the victims studied were female and approximately one half the victims were maltreated by a single perpetrator and the other half by more than one perpetrator, in the latter case almost always by both men and women. On average the children were subjected to 5.3 types of sexual abuse, experienced 2.1 types of threat to obtain their cooperation or to prevent disclosure of their victimization, and suffered symptoms regarded as sequalae of sexual abuse. Differences in the characteristics of offenders, victims, threats, and abuse were found to be based on whether the children were victimized in a center with multiple perpetrators or a single perpetrator or in a day care home. Tables and 13 references. (Author abstract modified)