Current approaches for evaluating children for possible sexual abuse are critically analyzed for conceptual integrity and empirical support. Suggestions for future development include the use of indicators of abuse that allow for professional judgment, consideration of the influence of questioning style, and use of peer review. (JDD)

Notes that marital and family therapists working with families when child sexual abuse is disclosed or suspected face ethical confusion that may not be clearly addressed by professional codes of conduct or legal statutes. Discusses ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in family sexual abuse cases and provides recommendations for ethical decision…

Contends that, because psychological effects of childhood sexual abuse impact functioning of both children and adults, counselors will probably encounter clients who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. Looks at problems both counselors and clients face when confronting dysfunctional behavior and symptoms resulting from sexual abuse.…

Professionals often react to their personal beliefs when addressing child sexual abuse concerns. Needs of the child are often lost in an adversarial system that encourages taking a rigid position for one parent or the other. Author suggests that ongoing training of professionals, awareness of personal bias, and the need to examine alternative…

Addresses issues surrounding a 1998 study on the effects of childhood sexual abuse from the perspective of the editors who accepted the manuscript, discussing the appropriateness of their editorial decision, inferred motivations of the authors, the editor's role in specific study recommendations and in minimizing mischaracterization of study…

This response to a previous article on behavioral manifestations of child sexual abuse (EC 619 258) stresses the importance of empirical research and the avoidance of assumptions that incidents of sexual abuse are the sentinel events in the life of a child, when the child's dysfunctional milieu may provide far more traumatic events. (DB)

Summarizes highlights of a discussion by 12 leaders in the field of child sexual abuse concerning the technical conduct of the child-sexual-abuse medical examination. (DB)

Summarizes highlights of a discussion by 13 leaders in the field of child sexual abuse concerning normal anogenital anatomy in relation to medical evaluation for child sexual abuse. (DB)

It is argued that a Jean Piaget anecdote about an alleged memory implanted in a young child leading to both a visual and semantic memory that persists despite disconfirming evidence is entirely different than the recovered memory debate, which is about the alleged introduction of memories to grown adults. (CR)

A case involving the harassment of a female college writing instructor by an older, male student serves as a model to provide a framework for dealing with similar problems in the future. This case moved from initial acts of challenging authority in the classroom and monopolizing office hours to the bizarre: obscene phone calls, mysterious mail,…

With heightened national attention to the problem of child sexual abuse, school districts have responded by seeking out and implementing prevention programs in an attempt to prevent abuse from occurring. Unfortunately, many such programs are based on questionable assumptions, limited understanding of how children learn and process information, and…

Describes powerful cultural ideologies which inform reactions to instances of sexual abuse at childcare facilities. Subtle and persistent beliefs and assumptions about mothering, families, children, and sex influence social, political, and legal reaction to this problem. These beliefs can distort our vision of reality and possibility. (Author/LHW)

The role of women throughout the world is the topic of several articles: their political power in Europe, the role of rural women in political life, sexual violence in Italy and Scandinavia, sex discrimination in Britain, unions and working women, women in Algerian culture, sexual harassment in Canada, and women in Switzerland. (CT)

Discusses the dimensions of child sexual abuse, its prevalence, relationship to other problems, and behavioral manifestations. Also discusses various aspects of prevention, including allocation of resources, educative programs for children, consultation with professionals, treatment for families involved, and monitoring of the problem. (AS)

Explores the concept of voice by turning to disclosure discourse about sexual abuse. Argues that sexually abused children are strategic and logical in the way they regulate access to this private information. Notes that the children locate their voice of logic in their selection of confidants. States that researchers can position themselves as…