NCJ Number
168341
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1997) Pages: 298-303
Date Published
1997
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The term "non-abusing parent" has been widely used to refer to one parent, usually the mother, in cases in which a child has been sexually abused by the other parent or to both mother and father in cases where a child has been sexually abused by a non-parent.
Abstract
The term has somewhat mixed implications. While it reveals important aspects of the context of child sexual abuse, it also obscures other aspects. Consideration is paid to several issues associated with the concept of non-abusing parents: (1) children's needs in the aftermath of child sexual abuse are more complex and wide-ranging than simply to have the offender absent from their homes; (2) the responsibility for meeting children's needs cannot be left solely to their mothers, or even to their mothers and fathers; and (3) mothers and fathers have their own issues that need to be differentiated and attended to following child sexual abuse. Although children's relationships with their families have great potential for aiding their healing, these relationships are frequently problematic. When relationships involve anger, disbelief, or blame, they have considerable potential for causing harm to the child. Children and their families need appropriate services when faced with child sexual abuse, and it must be recognized that parenting is not gender-neutral. 13 references