Jon R. Conte

Factors associated with an increased impact of child sexual abuse

Data is presented identifying factors associated with the impact of sexual abuse on children. A group of 369 sexually abused children and a comparison group of 318 children recruited from the community were compared on a parent-completed behavior rating scale. Data describing the abused children were also available from a 38-item symptom checklist completed by the childs social worker. Using a score based on the symptom checklist as the measure of the impact of sexual abuse, 15 variables were in the final regression equation explaining 42% of the variance in impact. Using a score based on parent-generated data, 5 variables were in the final equation explaining 20% of the variance. The significance of the variables in identifying factors associated with an increased impact of abuse is discussed.

Self‐reported amnesia for abuse in adults molested as children

A sample of 450 adult clinical subjects reporting sexual abuse histories were studied regarding their repression of sexual abuse incidents. A total of 267 subjects (59.3%) identified some period in their lives, before age 18, when they had no memory of their abuse. Variables most predictive of abuse-related amnesia were greater current psychological symptoms, molestation at an early age, extended abuse, and variables reflecting especially violent abuse (e.g., victimization by multiple perpetrators, having been physically injured as a result of the abuse, victim fears of death if she or he disclosed the abuse to others). In contrast, abuse characteristics more likely to produce psychological conflict (e.g., enjoyment of the abuse, acceptance of bribes, feelings of guilt or shame) were not associated with abuse-related amnesia. The results of this study are interpreted as supporting Freuds initial “seduction hypothesis,” as well as more recent theories of post-traumatic dissociation.

The Effects of Sexual Abuse on Children A Multidimensional View

Data were collected at the Sexual Assault Center in Seattle on 369 sexually abused children and a community comparison sample of 318 not-abused children. Data describing the behavior of these children were collected from the childs parent and for the abused children from the social worker. Samples differed on a number of variables and these variables were used as control variables in the analysis. Results indicate that abused and not-abused children appear behaviorally different on a set of factors and clinical dimensions constructed from the parent-completed measure. Suggestions for future research are provided.

Healing the incest wound: Christine A. Courtois. 1988. W. W. Norton, New York/London, 1988. 385 pages

With the publication of Healing the Incest Wound, such a classic was born. Incest is not a rare aberrant happening, but a common childhood experience for a substantial minority of children. Since incest is generally hidden and denied, the victims are left to cope with their reactions in an atmosphere that contradicts their reality. Yet all incest is not the same; for instance, one-time fondling by an uncle has different effects from rapes repeated over many years by a stepfather. The book describes these variations and the symptoms, short-term aftereffects, and long-term secondary elaborations Terms of Use Privacy Policy

34.95, hardcover.

There has been concern that disclosure and intervention might negatively impact victims of sexual abuse. In this retrospective study, 82 children and their families were interviewed about their experiences with disclosure and intervention an average of 3.5 years later. The children and parents completed a measure of distress developed for the study which discriminated between abused and non-abused children. The children reported primarily favorable experiences and provided clinically helpful descriptions of the positive and negative aspects of intervention. More contacts with intervention professionals was associated with increased distress, placement, offender removal and testifying were not. Based on the childrens comments, suggestions for improving the intervention process are made.

The Effects of Disclosure and Intervention on Sexually Abused Children.

Twenty-three child victims (aged 10-18 years) of childhood sexual abuse were interviewed about the victimization process, the person who abused them, and how abuse might have been prevented. Specific questions obtained information about the quality of the relationship between victim and offender, the offenders pre-abuse behavior, the explanation for the behavior given by the offender, and the childs understanding of the behavior. Results suggest that the victimization process involves three overlapping processes: sexualization of the relationship, justification of the sexual contact, and maintenance of the childs cooperation.

The process of victimization: the victims' perspective

Young children (ages 4 and 5) and school-aged children (6 to 10) from a day-care center were randomly assigned to a sexual abuse prevention training group and a wait-list control group. Children in the prevention training group were exposed to a three-hour program teaching common sexual abuse prevention concepts (e.g., the difference between OK and not-OK touches). Children in both groups were given a structured interview before and after the prevention group received training. Results of a repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance indicate that children in the prevention training group significantly increased their knowledge of prevention concepts while children in the control group did not. Older children learned more than younger children. Both younger and older children had greater difficulty learning prevention concepts of an abstract nature than concepts of a specific nature.

An evaluation of a program to prevent the sexual victimization of young children.

Evaluating children for possible sexual abuse is widely regarded as a difficult clinical endeavor. Practitioners are concerned with both the basis for professional opinions and the accuracy of their ultimate judgments. Current approaches are critically analyzed for conceptual integrity and empirical support. The authors conclude that improvements in practice will be more productive than efforts to devise a procedure for classification of cases. Implications of this approach and recommendations for further research are discussed.

Sexual abuse evaluations: Conceptual and empirical obstacles

Descriptive data on sexually abused children confirm that most children are abused by members or acquaintances of their own families. Social work services for victims should include efforts to protect the child from further abuse, and insure that the child, non-abusing parent, and sex offender receive services.

Sexual Abuse of Children: Implications for Practice

This paper provides a review and analysis of current programs to prevent sexual abuse of children. Seven aspects of prevention programming are discussed: prevention content, the length of the program, occupation of the trainer, prevention materials, training formats, types of abuse covered, and assertiveness and self-defense skills. Three potential problem areas prevention should address are also discussed. These include: the cognitive orientation of much prevention training, uncertainty surrounding what prevention content should actually be taught, and the need for quality assurance procedures.