NCJ Number
59651
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
DIRECTED AT SCHOOL PERSONNEL, PARENTS, AND NURSES AND DOCTORS, THIS FILM IDENTIFIES PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL INDICATORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN CHILDREN, AND EMPHASIZES LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADULTS TO REPORT INCIDENCES.
Abstract
TRAINING OF TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR INDICATORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN IS NECESSARY TO PREPARE THEM TO DEAL WITH BOTH THE PARENTS AND THE CHILD WHO ARE PARTICIPANTS IN SUCH SITUATIONS. PERSONS WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN SHOULD BE AWARE THAT SEXUAL ABUSE IS THE MOST CONCEALED, MOST DISTRESSFUL, AND MOST CONTROVERSIAL FORM OF CHILD ABUSE, AND OCCURS FAR MORE OFTEN THAN IS GENERALLY BELIEVED; THE MAJORITY OF CHILD VICTIMS ARE MOLESTED BY A FAMILY MEMBER OR SOMEONE KNOWN TO THE CHILD; THE CHILD HAS BEEN TAUGHT TO RESPECT AND OBEY ADULTS, AND THEREFORE MAY HAVE READILY SUBMITTED TO THE KNOWN AUTHORITY FIGURES; AND ALTHOUGH STUDIES INDICATE THAT MOST CHILD VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE ARE FEMALE, AND MOST OFFENDERS ARE MALE, BOY VICTIMS ARE RELATIVELY COMMON AND MAY SUFFER MORE NEGLECT FROM LACK OF EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION THAN FEMALE VICTIMS. CHILD BEHAVIOR INDICATORS CAN ALERT SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO A POTENTIAL PROBLEM: (1) UNUSUAL KNOWLEDGE OR INTEREST IN SEXUAL ACTS AND TERMINOLOGY; (2) UNUSUAL SEDUCTIVENESS WITH CLASSMATES, TEACHERS, AND OTHER ADULTS; (3) REFUSAL TO UNDRESS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION; (4) EXTREME FEAR OF SHOWERS AND RESTROOMS AS THESE ARE COMMON PLACES FOR SEXUAL ABUSE TO OCCUR; (5) EXTREME FEAR OF BEING ALONE WITH MEN OR BOYS; (6) FREQUENT ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL THAT ARE JUSTIFIED BY ONE PARENT ONLY; (7) REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RUN AWAY FROM HOME BY A CHILD WHO IS OTHERWISE NOT A BEHAVIOR PROBLEM; (8) UNUSUAL RELUCTANCE OR FEAR TO GO HOME AFTER SCHOOL; AND (9) UNUSUAL OR BIZARRE SEXUAL THEMES IN CHILDREN'S ART WORK OR STORIES. PHYSICAL INDICATORS INCLUDE VENEREAL DISEASE, EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL TRAUMA TO GENITAL AREAS, COMPLAINTS OF PAIN AROUND THE GENITALS, UNUSUAL AND OFFENSIVE ODORS, PREGNANCY WHEN THE CHILD REFUSES TO REVEAL ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE FATHER OF THE BABY OR A COMPLETE DENIAL TO THE PREGNANCY BY THE CHILD AND HER FAMILY. CHILDREN MAY REPORT ABUSE DIRECTLY, IN A DISGUISED FASHION AS IN A TALE ABOUT A CLASSMATE, OR ON THE CONDITION THAT THE KNOWLEDGE IS KEPT A SECRET. TEACHERS AND OTHER ADULTS WHO DEAL WITH CHILDREN MUST BE AWARE OF THE INDICATORS, AND REPORT SITUATIONS THAT BECOME APPARENT. EACH SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE PROCEDURES WHEREBY SUCH REPORTING IS FACILITATED. (MHP)