NCJ Number
137529
Date Published
1991
Length
22 pages
Annotation
In its focus on the treatment of sexually abused children and adolescents, this chapter identifies demographic characteristics related to treatment issues, outlines a clinical presentation of abused children and addresses issues relating to individual treatment and group and family therapy, psychopharmacological treatment, and prevention.
Abstract
The general goals of treatment for child and adolescent sexual abuse victims involve protecting the child from further abuse, reestablishing trusting relationships, and overcoming the self-image as damaged or bad. Many different treatment modalities can be effective in the treatment of child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse: individual therapy, including behavioral, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic therapies; group therapy; and family therapy. Group therapy appears to be the treatment of choice for sexual abuse victims but requires further research, evaluation, and refinement for use with children and adolescents. 86 references