NCJ Number
45161
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
BASIC CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED IN THE COUNSELING OF YOUNG VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE DISCUSSED, AND GUIDELINES FOR INTERVIEWING, EVALUATING, AND TREATING VICTIMS ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS INFLUENCING THE BASIC APPROACH TO SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS ARE THE FREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM, ITS SPECTRUM AND MECHANICS, THE DYNAMICS OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE PERPETRATOR AND THE VICTIM, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VICTIM AND THE PERPETRATOR, AND THE REACTIONS OF THE CHILD AND OF THE CHILD'S FAMILY. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT A BROAD SPECTRUM OF CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT IS EMERGING, WITH A GREATER NUMBER OF INTRAFAMILY CASES PERPETRATED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PEDOPHILES. THE MECHANICS OF SEXUAL CONTACT BETWEEN CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE POORLY UNDERSTOOD, BUT FOR THE MOST PART INVOLVE NONVIOLENT INTERACTION. THE DYNAMICS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY THE IDENTITY OF THE PERPETRATOR AND HIS RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHILD. THE REACTION OF THE VICTIM AND OF THE VICTIM'S FAMILY MAY BE HIGHLY VARIABLE. PROFESSIONALS ARE URGED TO GUARD AGAINST MISINTERPRETING BEHAVIORAL SIGNS WHEN TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT HAS ACTUALLY OCCURRED. THE NEED FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIALIZED SKILLS IN INVESTIGATIVE AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVIEWING OF CHILD VICTIMS IS POINTED OUT, AS IS THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLETE MEDICAL EVALUATION OF ALL CHILD VICTIMS, INCLUDING TESTS FOR VENEREAL DISEASE AND DOCUMENTATION OF FOREIGN OBJECTS. IT IS NOTED THAT INTRAFAMILY CASES TEND TO BE THE MOST DISRUPTIVE AND DIFFICULT TO RESOLVE, AND THAT THE SUCCESS OF THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION IN SUCH CASES IS LARGELY DEPENDENT ON THE PRESENCE OF AUTHORITATIVE INCENTIVES TO PARTICIPATE IN REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS. PROFESSIONALS ARE URGED TO AVOID CHARACTERIZING UNRESOLVED OR UNPROVED CASES OF CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT AS UNFOUNDED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.