NCJ Number
66322
Date Published
Unknown
Length
15 pages
Annotation
USING A HYPOTHETICAL CASE ILLUSTRATION, REASONS AND GUIDELINES FOR A TEAM APPROACH TO THERAPY IN SEXUAL CHILD ABUSE CASES ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
SEXUAL CHILD ABUSE OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND FORMS THE BASIS OF A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF BOTH CHILD AND ADULT PSYCHOPATHOLOGY. WITH A STRUCTURE SYSTEM OF CASE MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT, THE PROGNOSIS FOR MANY FAMILIES IS EXCELLENT. THERAPISTS SHOULD FOLLOW SIX RULES IN EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF INCESTUOUS CHILD ABUSE: (1) DON'T RELATE TO ONLY ONE PERSON, (2) DON'T RUSH CONJOINT FAMILY THERAPY, (3) DON'T TRY TO MANAGE ALONE, (4) DON'T HIDE THE PROBLEM FROM SOCIETY, (5) DON'T KEEP SECRETS, AND (6) DON'T JUMP TO PSYCHODYNAMIC CONCLUSIONS. A PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY THE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF., PRESENTS A MODEL FOR OTHERS PROVIDING THERAPY FOR EITHER SEXUAL ABUSERS OR SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN. KEY ELEMENTS INCLUDE COOPERATION, OUTREACH, AND SUPPORT IN BOTH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND THE PROTECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM; INTERVENTION STRATEGY BASED ON MULTIPLE SERVICES; USE OF A VARIETY OF TYPES OF THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES; A SPECIALIZED, SELF-HELP ORGANIZATION PROVIDING A SOCIAL OUTLET AND OPPORTUNITY FOR POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION; AND A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR STAFF MEMBERS. THE REVISED CASE STUDY IS PRESENTED USING THESE GUIDELINES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (CFW)