NCJ Number
127215
Date Published
1990
Length
339 pages
Annotation
Using academic research and the author's own clinical experience, this book discusses the nature, extent, effects, and treatment of males who have been sexually abused as children, typically by adult authority figures and family members.
Abstract
The types of sexual abuse encompassed in the discussion include an adult sexually touching a child or having the child sexually touch the adult, photographing the child for sexual purposes, sexualized talk with the child, showing the child pornographic materials, ridiculing the child's sexual development, exposure of adult genitals to the child for sexual gratification, and verbal and emotional abuse of a sexual nature. The book conservatively estimates that in 1 year 50,000-90,000 boys under the age of 13 will be sexually abused in the United States. Certain myths influence both society and social service professionals to minimize the seriousness of such abuse. False assumptions are that boys are less seriously affected by such abuse than girls and that boys tend to fantasize about or initiate sexual encounters. Society is also reluctant to believe that mothers would sexually abuse their sons. The bulk of the book consists of personal accounts of the sexual abuse of boys and the impact the abuse has had on the victims' adult lives. The book is intended for adults recovering from childhood sexual abuse, partners of men recovering from childhood abuse, and clinicians and others in the helping professions. 352 references and a subject index