Sandra Shrimpton

Nine years after child sexual abuse

OBJECTIVE During 1988-1990, 103 children presented to Child Protection Units (CPU) at two childrens hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Nine years later, the psychological adjustment of these young people (mean age=19.1 years, SD=3.4 years; range=14-25 years) was compared with that of non-abused young people of similar age and gender to assess group differences and examine potential risk factors. METHOD At intake, data on the nature of the index sexual abuse, demographics and the family environment were collected by clinicians. A comparison group, of similar age and gender, was selected from schools in the catchment area of the CPUs. Six years after presentation for the abuse, records of the statutory child protection authority were checked to determine any further notifications for abuse and/or neglect. Nine years after intake, 49 of the abused young people and 68 of the non-abused young people and/or their parents were interviewed and assessed. RESULTS The sexually abused young people performed more poorly than non-abused young people on psychometric tests of depression (p=.001), self-esteem (p<.001), anxiety (p<.001), behavior (Child Behavior Checklist: p=.01; Youth Self Report: p=.01; Young Adult Self Report: p<.001), and despair (p=.001). They were also more likely to have a history of bingeing (p=.002), self-inducing vomiting (p=.02), smoking cigarettes (p=.01), and using amphetamines (p=.002), ecstasy (p=.002) and cocaine (p=.004). Potential risk factors were in two groups, family and child. Family factors: family functioning, parental drug/alcohol problems, mothers sexual abuse history, mothers depression and socio-economic status. Child factors: despair and hopefulness, number of negative life events, ratings of their fathers care, previous notifications for child sexual abuse and placements in out-of-home care by the statutory child protection authority. In the presence of other risk factors, child sexual abuse was a significant predictor of self-esteem, behavior and bingeing. CONCLUSIONS Rather than focusing only on the individuals child sexual abuse, treatment may also need to address the familys functioning and the individuals feelings of despair.

Children's memories for stressful and non-stressful events.

Two groups of children aged between 4 and 12 years were studied to look at the effect of stress, time and type of questioning on memory. One group comprised 17 children having a blood sample taken as part of their medical care. The other group of 24 children were studied after reacting with a friendly stranger at their school. Memory was tested either four to ten days after the event or after three to six weeks. Memory was assessed by free recall, by questioning with cues, by structured questions, by leading or misleading questions and by asking the children to identify the blood-collection technician or friendly stranger from a photographic line-up. There was no difference between memory for the stressful or non-stressful events. The older children performed better in free recall although what the younger children did recall was highly accurate. The use of cues facilitated recall in all age groups. Children aged four to six years were less accurate than those aged seven to 12 years when objective questioning was used. Errors were more likely to be errors of omission than of commission in all age groups. Memory was less accurate after the longer time interval. With increasing interest in the reliability of children as witnesses, methods need to be found which will enable the child witness to give the maximum amount of accurate information. Those likely to be working with the child witness need to develop skills in talking with young children.

Suicide Risk Following Child Sexual Abuse

OBJECTIVE To determine the suicide rate and prevalence of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation in 183 young people who had experienced child sexual abuse and to examine variables related to the abuse, which may correlate with suicide attempts or suicidal ideation. METHODS Adolescents and young adults who had experienced child sexual abuse and individuals from a nonabused comparison group were asked about suicide attempts and suicidal ideation 5 and 9 years after intake to the study. Nine years after the abuse, a national death search was carried out to ascertain the number and causes of death in the 2 groups. Logistic regression was used to assess information on demographic and family functioning variables, the sexual abuse, notifications for other child abuse, criminal convictions, and out-of-home placements that were related to the outcome variables. RESULTS Young people who had experienced child sexual abuse had a suicide rate that was 10.7 to 13.0 times the national Australian rates. There were no suicides in the control group. Thirty-two percent of the abused children had attempted suicide, and 43% had thought about suicide since they were sexually abused. CONCLUSIONS Little information seems to be available to clinicians at the time of investigations for child sexual abuse in children that may identify those who are at increased risk of suicide. Abuse by an acquaintance, parental denial, or being angry with the child and not the abuser may predispose to suicide attempts but not necessarily to a completed suicide.

Children's memory of events: effects of stress, age, time delay and location of interview

To examine the ability of children aged between 4 and 12 years to recall a stressful event (venipuncture) compared with a non-stressful event (demonstration of venipuncture), recall was tested after 6-8 weeks. Half also had recall tested after 2-7 days. Testing took place where the stressful event occurred (n=122) or at a neutral location (n=127). Children who experienced the stressful event were less likely to give inaccurate responses in free recall or to acquiesce to suggestive misleading questions. Apart from incorrect responses in free recall, correct responses increased and incorrect responses decreased with increasing age. Recall after 2-7 days was superior to recall after 6-8 weeks. Those who had an early and a late interview had better recall at the late interview than those who had a late interview only. The location of interview showed no effects on recall.

The Process of Attrition in Child Sexual Assault Cases: A Case Flow Analysis of Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions

Abstract As part of a prospective study which tracked 183 child sexual abuse cases referred to two Child Protection Units in Sydney, NSW, a search of court records was conducted to obtain criminal justice outcomes. Of the 183 cases, there were 117 cases where the name of the offender was known. Forty-five cases reached trial. Thirty-two cases resulted in a conviction. A sub-cohort of 84 of the children and their families was interviewed in detail to determine reasons why many cases did not proceed down the track of criminal investigation and prosecution and why other cases dropped out of the criminal justice system. Among this sub-cohort of 84 children, there were 67 cases where the offender was identifiable and could have been charged. There were 25 convictions. Reasons for not proceeding to trial included: the offence was not reported to police; parents wished to protect children, the perpetrator or other family members; evidence was not strong enough to warrant proceeding; the child was too young; the offender threatened the family; or the child was too distressed. The implications for criminal prosecution as a child protection strategy are considered in the light of this evidence of attrition.

Nonsex Offences Committed by Child Molesters: Findings From a Longitudinal Study

This study, which used a prospective as well as a retrospective methodology, examined the criminal records of 30 child molesters prior to, and up to 10 years after an index event of sexual abuse for which they were convicted: 73% had convictions for other offences, 60% had convictions for offences other than sex offences, 50% had convictions for property offences, 27% had convictions for offences involving violence, and 23% had convictions for drug offences. Offending levels for nonsex offences were significantly higher than the general adult male population. Any theory concerning the dynamics of sex offending against children needs to account for the level of nonsex offences committed by child molesters.

Statutory Compensation for Victims of Child Sexual Assault: Examining the Efficacy of a Discretionary System

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the relationship between certain victim and offence characteristics and the award of statutory compensation for victims of child sexual abuse, in a system which conferred a complete discretion concerning awards of compensation up to certain monetary limits.