Julie A. Lipovsky

Child Sexual Assault as a Risk Factor for Mental Disorders Among Women: A Community Survey

A community sample of 391 adult women was screened for a history of sexual assault during childhood and assessed for lifetime and current mental disorders using a structured victimization history interview and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. One third of the women had been victims of rape, molestation, or sexual assault not involving physical contact prior to the age of 18 years. Child rape victims were more likely than nonvictims to have ever met DSM-III diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, and sexual disorders. Molestation victims were overrepresented on major depressive episode, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and sexual disorders. Noncontact child sexual assault was not a significant risk factor for any disorder. Child rape and molestation victims were more likely than victims of noncontact assault to have had crime-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Mental disorder lifetime prevalence risk ratios for child rape and molestation victims versus nonvictims ranged from 1.5 for major depressive episode to 6.7 for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Media Exposure to September 11 Elementary School Students' Experiences and Posttraumatic Symptoms

This study examined symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children indirectly exposed to September 11 via television, the Internet, and printed media. Approximately 1 month after the attacks, 179 students in Grades K-5 at four Southeastern elementary schools and their parents were surveyed about their experiences and reactions. The Pediatric Emotional Distress Scale (PEDS), the Parent Report of Post-Traumatic Symptoms (PROPS), and the Childrens Report of Post-Traumatic Symptoms (CROPS) were used to assess for PTSD symptoms. More PTSD symptoms were reported in children who saw reports on the Internet (vs. television/printed media), saw images of death or injury, or feared that a loved one might have died in the attacks. There was no measurable benefit to seeing heroic or “positive” images. Older children and boys had greater media exposure and more trauma-specific PTSD symptoms. Implications for those striving to deliver appropriate amounts and types of information to children and families following disasters are discussed.

Altered behavioral responsivity to morphine during the periadolescent period in rats

The results of previous studies have suggested that periadolescent rats are differentially affected by catecholaminergic agents, when compared with younger or adult animals. Since dopamine-opiate interactions have been demonstrated in rats, the present study was conducted to evaluate the behavioral responsivity of periadolescent and adult rats following doses of morphine ranging from 1 to 10 mg/kg i.p. The responses measured included matrix crossings, rearing, grooming, auto-directed stereotyped behavior and gnawing, and were recorded continuously from 30 to 90 min post-injection. When indicated, scores on each measure were transformed to control for differences observed in the baseline (saline) groups. Analyses of all measures revealed a significant effect of morphine dose, although the shape of the dose-response curve differed for individual responses. In addition, those measures which might be considered locomotor responses (matrix crossing, rearing), as well as grooming, revealed significant main or interactive effects of age. In contrast, those measures characterized as stereotyped behaviors (auto-directed stereotyped behavior and gnawing) revealed no differential effect in periadolescent animals relative to adults. Since locomotor responses and stereotyped behavior have been suggested by previous research to be mediated by the mesolimbic and extrapyramidal dopamine systems, respectively, these results further support the previously suggested hypothesis of the delayed ontogeny of mesolimbic relative to extrapyramidal dopamine pathways.

Depression, Anxiety, and Behavior Problems Among Victims of Father-Child Sexual Assault and Nonabused Siblings

The empirical research on the immediate effects of sexual abuse on child victims has yielded inconsistent results. Studies utilizing parent reports of childrens behavior suggest that sexually abused children display more behavior problems than general population norms and children drawn from the general community, but display fewer problems than children seen in clinical populations. Few studies using standardized measures and comparison groups have assessed childrens self-reported emotional difficulties. The present study compared the behavioral and emotional problems of children abused by a father (or other adult male functioning as a caretaker) with a comparison group of nonabused siblings drawn from the same families. Both the mother and the father/perpetrator completed parent rating scales on their childrens behavior. In addition, children completed standardized self-report measures of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. Results indicated that both mothers and father/perpetrators perceived the sexually abused children to display more behavior problems than nonabused siblings. Victims reported significantly higher levels of depression than did nonabused siblings. Both victims and nonabused siblings reported significant problems related to self-esteem.

The abuse clarification process in the treatment of intrafamilial child abuse

OBJECTIVE One aspect of treatment for child abuse and neglect addresses the attributions that the child victim, offender, nonoffending parents, and other family members have about the occurrence of the maltreatment. This paper describes a formal approach for abuse clarification to be used with families in which maltreatment has occurred. The four primary components of the abuse clarification process are: (a) clarification of the abusive behaviors; (b) offender assumption of responsibility for the abuse; (c) offender expression of awareness of the impact of the abuse on the child victim and family; and, (d) initiation of a plan to ensure future safety. The process of abuse clarification is described and suggestions made for appropriate use of the procedure.

Child witnesses in criminal court

The last decade has witnessed a dramatic rise in public and professional concern regarding the special needs of children as witnesses in the court setting. This study was conducted to examine characteristics of criminal court cases involving children as potential witnesses that were adjudicated through a trial conviction, trial acquittal, or guilty plea, from among cases that went to court in a 12-month period in nine judicial circuits in three states. Three hundred sixteen criminal court cases involving children as potential witnesses were examined. The vast majority, of these cases involved sexual crimes against children. The results indicated that relatively few (16.8%) adjudicated cases were resolved through a trial proceeding. Sentencing varied from state to state and as a function of the disposition of the case. Future research should be conducted prospectively to determine (a) whether cases involving children as witnesses in criminal court are prosecuted at lower rates than cases involving adults and (b) the reasons that cases leave the criminal justice system prior to any court actions.

The Impact of Court on Children Research Findings and Practical Recommendations

Concerns about possible negative impacts to children as a result of participating in the criminal justice system have led to discussions about altering the process in ways that accommodate the specific developmental and emotional needs of children. However, before making major changes to the system, it is essential to answer several questions. This article reviews research addressing the following questions: (a) How frequently do children testify in court? (b) Is involvement in the criminal justice system, particularly providing testimony in criminal court, harmful to child witnesses? (c) Do suggested innovations in practice reduce childrens court-related distress? Research findings related to these questions are then discussed in terms of their application to practice with children as witnesses within the criminal justice system.

Characteristics of Fathers in Incest Families

The purpose of this study was to assess whether differences in family functioning and psychological adjustment would be related to a previous history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in perpetrators of incest. It was hypothesized that perpetrators with a history of CSA would be more likely to report dysfunctional families of origin, more problems in their current family systems, and more psychological symptoms than nonabused perpetrators. Subjects in this study were 74 acknowledging father/perpetrators referred from community agencies. Results indicated that father/perpetrators with a history of CSA reported significantly more dysfunctional families of origin than nonabused fathers. However, no significant differences were obtained on measures assessing functioning in the family of procreation, personality profiles, or psychological symptoms. Comparisons of the father/perpetrators against norms revealed that the perpetrators differed significantly from the norms in nearly all areas of interest. Thus childhood trauma history appears to be related to more chaotic families of origin, but not to functioning within the family of procreation, personality profiles, or self-reported psychological symptoms. Additionally, regardless of abuse history, father/perpetrators report more dysfunctional families and more psychological symptoms in comparison to normative data.

Book Review: The Sexual Trafficking in Children: An Investigation of the Child Sex TradeThe Sexual Trafficking in Children: An Investigation of the Child Sex Trade. By CampagnaDaniel S. and PoffenbergerDonald L.. Dover, Mass.: Auburn House, 1988. 250 pp. Cloth

In the past decade, the public and professionals have become increasingly aware of the widespread sexual exploitation of children. This awareness has stimulated research and clinical attention to the dynamics of sexual exploitation, its immediate and long-term psychosocial consequences, and approaches to prevention as well as attention to legislation and criminal-justice issues that bear on the problem. Much of the extant literature deals with intrafamilial sexual abuse, with little information on the dynamics and characteristics of sexual trafficking. Daniel Campagna and Donald Poffenberger, in The Sexual Trafficking in Children, define sexual trafficking as commercial sexual exploitation of children, generally committed by nonfamily members of the child victim. Their book is a timely piece. Through interviews, field observations, and case studies, it presents the results of a five-year, nationwide field study conducted by the authors. Their focus is on the dynamics, motivations, and characteristics of sexual trafficking in children. Part 1 of the book serves as an introduction to the parameters of the problem and characteristics of pedophilia. The definition of sexual trafficking presented in chapter 1 includes all forms of commercial trafficking in children for the purposes of sexual exploitation. The crimes encompassed by the term “sexual trafficking” include child pornography, prostitution, sex rings, molestation, sex tourism, white slavery, bogus adoption, nude dancing or modeling, apprenticeship or recruitment for prostitution, procuring, and indenturing. The book illustrates that each type of exploitation is harmful to the victim, though the dynamics of harm associated with trafficking may vary by type. According to the authors, it is an erroneous assumption that information regarding sexual offenses against children is widely available, and this “presumption of knowledge” is a barrier to studying the problem. They alert the reader to the fact that trafficking is not merely “child sexual abuse,” but involves “systematic exploitation of a minor for the sake of immediate pleasure or eventual profit.” They emphasize the serious nature of crimes of sexual exploitation of minors, and the premise of their book is that these crimes have received less recognition than they should. Pedophilia occurs along a continuum of severity, ranging from the collection of child pornography to engagement in sex rings, two extremes of a spectrum of pedophilic behaviors. In chapter 2, the authors describe types of behavior, the offender-victim relationship, and methods of operation, which generally involve seeking out a suitable place and/or child, becoming situated in the place to make contact with the child, and initiating the sexual contact. The authors illustrate the various facets of pedophilia by means of interviews, case studies, and field observations. They use the same format in part 2 of the book, which discusses four types of sexual trafficking: hustling, pimping, child pornography, and the international child sex trade. Hustling, or juvenile prostitution, is widespread. According to the authors, it is the most dangerous form of sexual trafficking. Health risks, emotional trauma, environmental hazards, and perpetuation of sexual exploitation are the major consequences of hustling. The authors do an excellent job of describing different settings and types of juvenile prostitution in addition to contrasting the characteristics of female and male hustlers. The process by which children are recruited into juvenile prostitution as well as the baniers to escape from the situation are described. Child prostitutes live within a subculture of violence, drug use, and emotional exploitation, which compound the hazards of sexual victimization. Many child prostitutes have run from abusive and dysfunctional family situations, only to find themselves caught in a cycle of continued victimization. Various characteristics of exploiters of children are demonstrated through case studies and interviews. Each type of pimp, from the “Sweet Mac” to the “Business Manager” uses particular methods of recruitment, training, and control. The juvenile is carefully introduced and initiated into the world of prostitution by the pimp; methods range from luring the minor with the promise of money and excitement through physical or psychological intimidation. Child pornography is the production, distribution, sale, and consumption of materials in which children are used as models in the creation of sexually suggestive or explicit materials. Similarities and differ-