NCJ Number
216660
Date Published
November 2005
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This handbook provides an overview of the nature of child sexual abuse, how an adult should respond when he/she suspects a child has been sexually abused, parental prevention measures, advice for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and offender characteristics.
Abstract
Child sexual abuse is defined as "any sexual contact, verbal abuse of a sexual nature, or exploitation of a child by an adult, including but not limited to fondling, flashing, masturbation, intercourse, and oral-genital contact." Among the facts mentioned about child sexual abuse are that children rarely lie about being sexual abused; physical violence is rarely used by offenders; and offenders are most often male heterosexuals known to their victims (usually relatives). Some possible indications that a child has been sexually abused are behavioral regression, sexual knowledge inappropriate for age level, excessive masturbation, fear of being alone with certain individuals, aggressive behavior, and self-mutilation. General advice on what an adult should do if he/she suspects a child has been sexually abused is to take the suspicions seriously until there is clear evidence that nothing is wrong. Suggestions are given for how to respond when a child reports that he/she has been sexually abused, including how to report suspicions of abuse to the proper authorities, with particular reference to South Dakota. The prevention information provided to parents includes the fostering of open communication with children, providing appropriate information about gender physical differences and inappropriate touching of genital areas, and offering suggestions for what to do if sexual abuse is attempted or occurs. Advice for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse focuses on how to deal with various feelings likely to persist into adulthood, such as guilt, shame, depression, anger, fear, and low self-esteem.