NCJ Number
101171
Journal
Victimology Volume: 10 Issue: 1-4 Dated: (1985) Pages: 97-109
Date Published
1985
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Recently there has been a great burst of interest in the study and treatment of family violence in the United States. An even more recent trend, which may be an outgrowth of the study of family violence, is the study of the sexual abuse of children and adolescents within the family context.
Abstract
Startlingly, this phenomenon threatens to dwarf the family violence problem in terms of both absolute magnitude and prevalence rates. Current estimates of sexual abuse cases range from 50,000 to over 1 million. The American Humane Association aggregated state statistics show a 200 percent increase in reported cases since 1976. The purpose of this paper are several. First, to examine the best method for current assessment of the size of the problem and the refinement of this social indicator statistic. Secondly, to examine the relatively small amount of legislative and clinical response which currently exists for aid to victims. Particularly there is little attention paid to adolescent victims and offenders. Finally, suggestions will be made for future improvements in data collection, legislation and clinical treatment in cases of child and adolescent sexual abuse. (Author abstract)