Responds to article in which Nash et al. reported on effects of controlling for family environment when studying sexual abuse sequelae. Considers findings in terms of theoretical and statistical constraints placed on analysis of covariance and other partializing procedures. Questions use of covariate techniques to test hypotheses about causal role…

Nash et al. respond to Briere and Elliott's (this issue) comments regarding their study (this issue) on effects of controlling for family environment when studying sexual abuse sequelae. Cites limitations of Briere and Elliott's survey study database. Agrees with Briere and Elliott in call for longitudinal, multimethod designs for examining…

Traditional approaches to child abuse focus on abuse in family. Discusses an alternative approach that offers a comprehensive view of abuse and protection as occurring within a range of factors that combine to make the child's world a fulfilling place. This approach raises issues about the ways children, women, and caregivers are valued; social…

A four-phase group plan is presented to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse move beyond dissociative coping to more effective coping strategies. Advantages of this approach are discussed. Dissociation and the effects of dissociation are discussed. Considerations for forming a survivors group, and the four-phase format are presented in detail.…

Summarizes a discussion by ten leaders in the field of child sexual abuse concerning the medical consequences of child sexual abuse. (DB)

This commentary on a paper (EC 619 270) about normal anogenital anatomy in children in relation to medical evaluation for child sexual abuse urges more studies involving nonabused children. (DB)

Clarifies policy options for reporting and serving children testing positive at birth for controlled substances. Advocates the strengthening of existing state policies regarding child abuse reporting and response. (JPB)

The Canadian Supreme Court in "Young v. Bella" has approved the award of C$840K to Ms Young against the Memorial University of Newfoundland and also two of its academics. In this article, the author comments on the "Young v. Bella" case. Ms Young was a distance-learning student studying social work and hoped to get on a professional course and so…

In 1896, Sigmund Freud stated that early childhood seduction caused hysteria in his female patients. He later recanted his original finding and claimed that the reports of abuse he heard from his patients were not descriptions of real events, but his patients' expressions of unconscious childhood wishes. The theory of the Oedipal complex gave…

This issue, containing a special report on abuse, contains stories by sexually abused youth and an abusing parent. The stories emphasize the difficulty children have being believed when they finally decide to share their problems; the difficulties they have getting help; and the fact that, even if the abuse is stopped, there are no simple, happy…

This article commences with a review of the issues in the empirical literature surrounding the concept of 'bonding,' and notes some particular parallels with the concept of 'attachment,' demonstrating links between the two. The comparison is followed by a review of empirical findings of studies involving animals and humans, including those dealing…

Research findings concerning early parent/infant interaction are presented to counter prevalent myths concerning the nature of babies. The myth of the passive infant is counterposed to research findings on the attempts of the infant to evoke from caretakers the attention it needs for its development. Special attention is given to the topics of…

When there is evidence of severe child abuse or neglect, the school must be the child's advocate and defender. Basically, child advocacy is concerned with identifying and correcting ongoing practices and policies that violate legal and human rights or that are seriously harmful to children. The main targets are the institutional barriers that…

Responds to Spiegel's article on child abuse by asserting that few elementary school counselors possess sufficient education and understanding regarding child abuse hysteria syndrome and by supporting need for further research in clarification of present knowledge base. Encourages counselors to approach complicated abuse situations with…

Physical educators have a responsibility to be aware of signs of abuse or neglect of students. Common injuries to and behavior characteristics of abused children are described. The Oklahoma statute on reporting child abuse is presented as a model to govern school policy. (MT)