Survey of Problematic Sexualized Behaviors of Children in the New York City Welfare System: Estimates of Problem, Impact on Services, and Need for Training

• NCJ Number: 196481
• Journal: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: 2001 Pages: 67-80
• Author(s): Amy J. L. Baker; Mel Schneiderman; Rob Parker
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Focusing on problematic sexualized behaviors of children within the child welfare system, this article presents survey results of New York City’s child welfare agencies.

Abstract

This article discusses problematic sexualized behaviors (PSB) of children within New York City’s child welfare system. Based on survey results of 48 agencies contracted with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), this article begins with a discussion of literature concerning PSB and its prevalence among children within the child welfare system. Describing the survey sample used in their study, the authors discuss the 48 of 52 New York City child welfare agencies offering out-of-home placement services which participated in the survey. Developed by the New York Interagency Coalition for PSB, the survey consisted of a series of closed-ended items about the welfare agencies and PSB as of June 30, 2000. Following a sample of the survey, the authors present its results in a series of tables. Findings demonstrate that PSB of children was a significant problem in the State child welfare population, suggesting that the safety of other children within the system may be compromised. PSB was frequently associated with adoption disruptions, and incidence of PSB was greater in residential treatment centers than in foster boarding homes. The authors conclude that responding agencies note a lack of sufficient training and resources to deal with PSB of children within the welfare system. Tables, references