Thomas J. Hoffman

Child sexual revictimization by multiple perpetrators

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to describe feelings, disclosure characteristics, family dysfunction, and health risky behaviors in those adolescents having unwanted sexual experiences (USE; any kind of sexual touching that was bad, uncomfortable, or forced) with multiple perpetrators and to compare these parameters with those adolescents having USE(s) with single perpetrators. METHOD A cross-sectional survey of consecutive waiting room patients from four clinic sites was done in 538 adolescents and young adults; 76% of the study population were Hispanic and over half were poor. One hundred sixty-one subjects with single perpetrator USE(s) were compared with 97 subjects who had USE(s) with more than one perpetrator. RESULTS Victims of multiple perpetrators were more likely than victims of single perpetrators to react with self-blame and delay disclosure of USE due to shame. When compared with victims of single perpetrators, those with multiple perpetrators were more likely to disclose their USE to protect self or others or because they became weary or intolerant of the abuse. Although family violence and substance abuse were common in both victims of single and multiple perpetrators of USE, these factors appeared to potentiate the likelihood of repeated victimization in childhood. Prevalence of health risky behaviors did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicated that sexual revictimization by multiple perpetrators is not uncommon and suggest that abused children should be questioned about this possibility. Children and teenagers who have USE(s) with more than one perpetrator may have more difficulties with psychological recovery due to increased shame and self-blame.

Unwanted and Illegal Sexual Experiences in Childhood and Adolescence.

Three hundred forty-two anonymous surveys regarding unwanted sexual experiences (USE) were filled out in three clinic sites: a pediatric sexual abuse clinic, family practice clinic, and family planning clinic. In the latter two clinics, 40% of females and 16% of males had at least one unwanted sexual experience prior to turning 18 years old. Only 91% of the sexual abuse clinic patients indicated their experience was unwanted. In addition, 27% of the subjects had wanted sexual experiences that were illegal and underreported: These experiences involved a partner at least 4 years older or younger. While feelings of victimization were most common, self-blame and naivete about the abuse were also frequently reported, especially in those who had an USE with a peer. Ambivalence, self-blame, and peer pressure were associated with a lower tendency to disclose ones USE. Although unwanted and illegal sexual experiences were less common in Hispanic females, feelings of self-blame and ambivalence regarding their USE were more frequent in comparison with White females. These findings have important investigative and therapeutic implications for professionals who encounter victims of sexual abuse.

Moving beyond dualism: A dialogue with Western European and American Indian views of spirituality, nature, and science

Abstract Western European and Native American approaches to spirituality, nature, and science have implications for policy decisions now and into the Twenty First century. This essay explicates traditional American Indian and Western European philosophic and spiritual views of nature in order to promote dialogue and inform choices that are crucial regarding the future of the biosphere. A concept of nature, then, is more than just an explanation of how living things interact with one another. It also serves as a reference point for deciphering the meaning of existence itself. Jeremy Rifkin

Children's dreams viewed through the prism of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

During a regular free writing time in class, children in Kindergarten through sixth grade in various areas of the city were given the writing prompt, ‘My dreams for the world’. Writing samples were collected from an elementary school in an affluent area of the city, an elementary and a middle school in a low socio-economic area, and an elementary school located on an Air Force base. Writings were analysed using an expanded version of Maslows hierarchy of needs and rated on a scale according to the content. This was done individually by two of the researchers and then discussed for final agreement on rating. The samples were coded for age/grade level, gender, and school. A ‘Maslow Average’ was calculated for each writing sample, along with a ‘Maslow Highest’. The hypotheses tested were that Maslow score and Maslow highest were influenced by gender, income, ethnicity, and grade.

Child Sexual Abuse: An Undermining of the Polis

This paper explores the sexual abuse literature and the political participation literature for possible linkages. Research on political participation indicates low levels of political trust and damaged self-esteem have important impacts on style and level of political involvement. The literature on child sexual abuse indicates potential root causes for lowered trust and self-esteem which have implications for adult participation in the civic arena. Sexual abuse has negative effects on individual victims and also undermines the foundations of democratic societies.

The movement for church unity in christianity: Contributing factors

Abstract This study highlights the recent history of the movement for Christian unity and empirically examines those factors which affect clerical and lay attitudes towards ecumenism among 8 Christian denominations. Religious affiliation, belief in the communion of saints, ones relationship with Mary, and attitude towards gender equality in the church are found to be important explanatory variables in an analysis of support for church unity.

Adam Smith and the Character of Virtue, Ryan Patrick Hanley. Cambridge University Press, New York (2009), 224 p.,

the novice and more experienced scholar of water policy in the US. Details of compliance and specific laws regarding water pollution can be a bit cumbersome. If your primary interest in the book is devolution or dynamics of political institutions, skipping over detailed discussions of measuring water pollution will not take away from the book’s value. The text’s primary argument is that in order to improve water quality, Congress must take a more proactive role in governing. This is not a surprising conclusion in that water pollution does not recognize state boundaries. However, Hoornbeek makes the argument that Congress is the only institution with constitutional authority to enact laws that provide an institutional process to ensure dispute resolution over time. In other words, directives from Congress trump those of federal agencies. Having Congress micromanage water pollution policy may be difficult. The author provides supporting case studies regarding specific laws. However, as Hoornbeek notes, this book does not cover why this process behaves as it does. Also, he does not discuss other alternatives such a creating a commission by way of an interstate compact, which carries the weight of Congress. There are several commissions governing water allocation, pollution, and other policy issues in river basins, which were created by interstate compact. This book adds to the literature on devolution and intergovernmental bureaucratic relationships. Specifically, Hoornbeek addresses two questions. First, did Congress’s passage of the Clean Water Act institutionalize water pollution policies at the federal and state levels. Second, if the policies strayed from Congressional direction, why? In sum, Hoornbeek’s finds that Congress does matter. In particular, its control over state and federal bureaucracies by way of support through supportive resources and directives mandates prevents the bureaucracies from straying too far from the mark. Exceptions to this are discussed and attributed to variables such as state capacity and vagueness of measurable criteria for policy outcomes. Hoornbeek’s book is a valuable resource for scholars wanting to gain a better understanding of environmental policy, water pollution policy, and devolution. Its shortcomings are that it does not explain the behavior of state bureaucracies or provide a greater understanding of Congressional influences on state and local policymaking. However, explaining this is a topic worthy of a separate book or two. The book provides an in-depth analysis of water pollution issues in a unique manner. It provides insight on issues of governing that will not disappear in the near future. This book will be a relevant text in understanding these issues for a generation.

88.00 cloth,

Abstract This essay re-iterates stories from the Judaic, Christian, Islamic, Baha’i, and American Indian traditions regarding spiritually-aided escapes from violence. Escapes from death, prison, and danger have all reportedly been facilitated by spiritual forces in these traditions.