Child Sexual Coercion (From Sexual Coercion: A Sourcebook on its Nature, Causes, and Prevention, P 17-28, 1991, Elizabeth Grauerholz, Mary A Koralewski, eds. -- See NCJ-128585)

• NCJ Number: 128587
• Author(s): D D Knudsen
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Lexington Books
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Child sexual coercion is defined in legal and research terms. The incidence and prevalence rates are discussed as well as the victims, perpetrators, and contexts of child sexual coercion. The research into the effects of molestation on the victim and consequences of child sexual coercion are also discussed.

Abstract

The age of consent has gradually increased from 10 during the 16th century to 14 or 15 now in most states. Child sexual coercion has many definitions or forms: force, the threat of force, deception, trickery, or other actions the child cannot resist because of his or her ignorance, immaturity, or mental condition. Incidence refers to the number of cases of sexual abuse that occur among those at risk during a specific time period. Prevalence is the number of children who are victims of sexual coercive activities during their entire period at risk from birth to age 18. The characteristics of child sexual coercion victims, the perpetrators, and the context of the acts of sexual coercion are examined. A discussion of the effects of molestation on the victim of child sexual coercion is included, and suggestions for future research conclude the chapter.