1. Incidence
This first part of the paper deals with the question of how to define child sexual abuse.
Differences in the definitions that impede a comparison of different studies conducted on
this topic are examined. Child sexual abuse has long been thought to be rare or at least
occurring in small numbers only. In recent decades, however, the incidence of child
sexual abuse cases seemed to explode. Probably only the higher number of reported cases
is responsible for that phenomenon. The incidence of child sexual abuse probably did not
really change. The number of child sexual abuse ranges for females somewhere between
6% to 62% and for males between 3% and 31% (Whetsell-Mitchell, 1995; Finkelhor,
1993). The large difference between these numbers is due mainly to the fact of different
definitions in the studies. In the following paragraphs three different elements for which
definitions seem necessary are discussed. First the phrase child sexual abuse is to be
defined. Second phrases for the sexual inappropriate behavior are examined, and third
terms to name the abuser are defined. 2. Child Sexual Abuse.
A sample of phrases equated with child sexual abuse by different researchers is: sexual
victimization, sexual exploitation, sexual assault, sexual misuse, child molestation, sexual
maltreatment, and child rape (Whetsell-Mitchell, 1995). Discussion about child sexual
abuse becomes even more difficult when different fields are taken into account. The legal
and the social welfare system have quite different ideas of child sexual abuse, and these ideas are different from the psychological ideas as well. Some features are more
ambiguous than others are. For instance, it is more likely for different people to agree that
child sexual abuse has happened when one or the other form of penetration was involved.
It becomes more difficult when behavior is examined that might be perfectly normal in
one family, while abusive in another family. This depends on the family’s idea and
practice of nudity. While one family thinks it inappropriate to be naked in front of the
child another family might find this perfectly normal. Thus, if one of the parents would
approach his or her naked child during bathing, it would be normal in family two but not
in the first one. This is largely related to the environment in which the child grew up. One
feature that indicates sexual abusive behavior is sexual gratification for the involved
adult. [...]
Table of Contents
[I] Definitions and Methods
[A] Definition
1. Incidence
2. Child sexual abuse
3. Incest
4. Sexual inappropriate behavior
i.) Non-contact abuse
ii.) Contact abuse
5. Sexual Abusers
6. Issues of Gender
[B] Methods
1. Self report/case studies
2. Psychological scales
3. Referral
4. Drawings and anatomically correct dolls
[II] The Victim
[A] Data on Victims
1. Socio-demographic data
i.) High risk groups
ii.) Day care centers
iii.) Family structure and parenting
2. Psychological Data
i.) Prior victimization
ii.) Blame
iii.) Special issue – mother-daughter incest
3. Intercultural examples
i.) Canada
ii.) Netherlands
iii.) Zimbabwe
[B] Impact on Mental Health
1. General remarks
i.) Systematic Variation
ii.) Clinical Control Group
iii.) General Complex of Symptoms
2. Anxiety
i.) Sources and Symptoms of anxiety
ii.) Case Story From the Netherlands
iii.) Impact of Parent-Child Relationship
iv.) Psychosomatic Symptoms
3. Post-traumatic stress disorder
i.) Symptoms
ii.) Influence of disclosure on PTSD Symptomatology
iii.) Psychosomatic Symptoms
iv.) Prior Victimization
4. Depression
i.) General Remarks
ii.) Depression Immediately after Abuse
iii.) Five Years After the Abuse
iv.) Depression in the Adult Personality
5. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
i.) General Remarks
ii.) Dissociative Identity Disorder – one single entity?
iii.) Defining Symptoms
iv.) Childhood Experiences
v.) System of Alters
vi.) Treatment
6. Persistence of Impact
i.) Sleeper Variables
ii.) Sexual Disturbance
iii.) Anxiety and Depression
iv.) Substance Abuse and Physiological Issues
v.) Postsexual Abuse Syndrome?
[C] Associated Problems
1. Child sexual abuse and the legal system
i.) Employment of protective devices
ii.) Expert testimony
iii.) General accuracy of memory
iv.) Delayed disclosure
v.) Suggestibility
vi.) Exception from hearsay rule
2. Evaluation of repressed memories linked to abuse
i.) Repressed and rediscovered memories?
ii.) The Influence of Counseling
iii.) Treatment of “Rediscovered” Memories in the Court
iv.) Judicial Standards for Expert Witnesses
3. Allegations and families
i.) Categorization schema
ii.) Discovered abuse leads to divorce
iii.) Revelation during divorce
iv.) Divorce prepares ground
v.) False allegations
vi.) Assessment facilitation in divorce Cases
vii.) Approaches for first time offenders to maintain family system
viii.) Pretrial diversion program
ix.) Post arraignment diversion program
x.) Pre-legal diversion program
4. Problems in functioning
i.) Dental experiences
ii.) Memory function
5. The Freudian coverup
i.) The Seduction Theory
ii.) Sexual Abuse – only a fantasy?
6. Victim to abuser circle
i.) Incidence of pedophilia in a community sample
ii.) Multiple abused versus single time abused victims
iii.) Attitudes toward treatment
[D] Treatment
1. Entering treatment
i.) Filters
ii.) Research on Conflicting Variables
iii.) Obstacles for Adults in Therapy
2. Treatment
i.) Reasons for Group Therapy
ii.) Concrete Procedure
[IV] Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper serves as a comprehensive review of the current literature regarding child sexual abuse, focusing on definitional challenges, victim data, the subsequent link to mental health disorders, and the complexities of treatment. The central objective is to analyze how various forms of sexual abuse impact the long-term functioning and psychological health of children, while addressing the systemic issues in research and legal proceedings.
- Definitions and methodological challenges in child sexual abuse studies.
- Socio-demographic data, risk groups, and the cycle of victimization.
- Psychological consequences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and dissociative identity disorders.
- Institutional challenges, including the legal system, family dynamics, and treatment efficacy.
- The impact of "repressed" and "rediscovered" memories in clinical and judicial contexts.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Incest
In family environments incest is often mentioned. This form of child sexual abuse is broadened by Whetsell-Mitchell’s (1995) definition, which takes into account relationships other than parent-child relationships. In this definition persons who derive authority through ongoing emotional bonding with the involved child commit incest when they engage in sexually inappropriate behaviors with the child. This form of child sexual abuse is held secret; on the other side a form of child sexual abuse is found that inflicts sexual behavior on children for the sake of money. These commercial based acts are called sexual exploitation and involve children sold for prostitution as well as taking pictures of children in sexual activities and to sell them.
Summary of Chapters
[I] Definitions and Methods: Explores the difficulties in defining child sexual abuse and discusses the primary research methods used to assess the phenomenon.
[II] The Victim: Analyzes socio-demographic risk factors, psychological data, and the prevalence of sexual abuse across different cultures.
[B] Impact on Mental Health: Examines the causal link between sexual abuse and mental disorders such as anxiety, PTSD, depression, and dissociative identity disorder.
[C] Associated Problems: Discusses the interaction between child sexual abuse, the legal system, family allegations, and the reliability of repressed memories.
[D] Treatment: Reviews the barriers to entering treatment and evaluates different therapeutic approaches, including group therapy for child victims.
[IV] Conclusion: Summarizes the major research findings and reiterates the need for standardized concepts and methodologies in the field of child sexual abuse research.
Keywords
Child sexual abuse, mental health, victimization, PTSD, depression, dissociative identity disorder, incest, child testimony, legal system, repressed memories, therapy, child molestation, trauma, risk groups, victim-to-abuser circle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper provides a literature review of child sexual abuse, focusing on how the lack of consistent definitions complicates research and how abuse correlates with severe mental health disorders.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The research spans from identifying socio-demographic risk groups to the psychological consequences of abuse, the role of memory, and the efficacy of various therapeutic and legal interventions.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The goal is to bridge the gap between clinical research and practical understanding, highlighting the need for accurate disclosure and professional intervention to break the cycle of abuse.
Which methodology is employed in the study?
The author performs a literature review, analyzing approximately 42 studies to categorize assessment approaches and outcomes related to sexual abuse.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main sections cover data on victims, the development of mental disorders like depression and PTSD, the legal system's role, and the persistent impact of trauma on adult personality.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include child sexual abuse, PTSD, depression, dissociation, legal testimony, and victim-to-abuser cycle.
How does the author characterize the role of the Freudian "cover-up"?
The author discusses how Freudian theory historically categorized abuse as "fantasies," which delayed the acknowledgment of real-world abuse and obstructed professional research for decades.
Why are dental experiences used as an example of functional impairment?
The author uses dental experiences to illustrate how the oral region's proximity to trauma sites and the necessity of trust in a dentist-patient relationship can trigger symptoms of dissociation or avoidance in survivors.
- Quote paper
- Arnold Ackerer (Author), 1998, Child Sexual Abuse and Mental Disorder, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/21990
