This article discusses use of child interview data to decide whether or not a child has been sexually abused. It examines the role of child interview findings from a historical perspective, discusses the challenge of researching criteria indicative of a true allegation, reviews existing studies of child interview data, draws conclusions, and…

This paper reviews the literature on projective drawing tests and child sexual abuse, focusing on children's drawings as an associative tool for memory. The use of the event drawing series, which is a series of seven drawings by a child that graphically present the child's thinking about a specific event, is discussed. (JDD)

This paper reviews literature and research on communication handicaps as risk factors in child maltreatment, focusing on such factors as ethnic group membership, type of maltreatment, severity of physical or sexual abuse, duration of maltreatment, sex of victim, and location of maltreatment. Implications for professionals working with children…

Highlights an approach that guides adolescents who have committed sexual offenses to learn healthy/prosocial ways to meet their sexual needs. Article is divided into an overview of literature, review of the sex education component of an intervention program for these adolescents, and discussion of practical considerations for professionals.…

Reviews and interprets some recent literature on substance abuse problems and treatments among women. Major risk factors include childhood sexual or physical abuse, domestic violence, and a spouse or partner who abuses substances. Discusses the enormous problems of access to treatment for women with minor children. (JPS)

Social exchange framework is applied to Summit's Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome, which describes a common pattern of interaction and response among child victims of sexual abuse, their caretakers, and adult offenders. Analysis of the syndrome demonstrates the applicability of the exchange perspective for this aspect of child sexual…

Discusses normal anogenital anatomy in children in relation to the medical evaluation of child sexual abuse and summarizes state of current knowledge. Suggestions for further research, including cross-sectional studies comparing normal and abused children, and cross-sectional and longitudinal studies comparing different racial/ethnic groups.…

This article discusses the child sexual abuse literature which was available in the 1980s, as well as several new sources of information, and describes a curriculum which was developed to provide a model for immediate evaluation of sexual behaviors observed among children in schools and child care settings. (CR)

Although research on acquaintance, or date rape, dates back to the late 1950's, only recently has the literature in this area focused on prevention. In addition, although research has shown that, conservatively, 1 out of 10 women on university campuses has been raped by someone with whom she is familiar, little appears to have been done about the…

Object relations theory holds that a constant and reciprocal interaction exists between past and present interpersonal dealings which, in turn, influence the development of representations. Such representations help individuals assimilate and understand immediate experiences. This paper examines the findings of recent empirical studies designed to…

Reviews experimental studies of behavioral consequences of exposure to violent or aggressive pornography and evaluates the validity and relevance as support for censoring pornography in the aftermath of the Meese Commission. Finds research deficient in several areas, such as design, theoretical models, and interpretation, thus offering no…

Research indicates that male children are more likely to be abused by nonfamily than by family members. Residing in a neglectful home or a mother-headed household and having previous homosexual contact tend to heighten risk for sexual abuse by nonfamily members. Effects appear to be serious and long-lasting. (Author/JW)

Most professional psychologists who practice with children will face the ethical dilemma of child abuse reporting at some point in their careers. This paper explores the ethical dilemma inherent between ethics that charge psychologists to always choose a course of action best serving the client and mandatory child abuse reporting laws. Some of the…

Presents intervention strategies based on the Trauma Outcome Process, an integrated treatment model for guiding clinical practice with children with sexually abusive behavior problems. The steps for completing a comprehensive assessment are reviewed, and strategies are presented to help clinicians create a therapeutic alliance and increase these…

Reviews methodological problems of previous research on male perpetrators of sexual violence. Discusses the need for a rigorous methodology in defining the extent of the problem. Proposes an aggressive new research agenda that would examine men's prosocial behavior. (KW)