Little is known about the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adult alumni of foster care and its demographic and contextual correlates. This is one of the first studies to report on racial/ethnic and gender differences and the influence of foster care experiences (i.e., revictimization during foster care, placement change rate,…

This study assessed the utility of the Child Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI) in a child welfare sample. In this study, 97 children from ages 10 to 12 from either foster boarding homes or a residential treatment center participated. Researchers interviewed foster parents or primary therapists about children's sexual behavior, traumatic events,…

Finds an absence of adverse effects in a questionnaire survey of 233 parents of very young children in a school-based sexual abuse program. Notes that findings should help ameliorate fears about teaching young children about the possibility and prevention of abuse. (SAK)

Summarizes a two-year study of juvenile sexual offenders in Washington. Evaluates both community- and institution-based treatment programs. Offers a demographic profile of the typical juvenile sexual offender and the recidivism data from a mean 20-month follow-up period. Surprisingly few variables were found to have a significant relationship to…

This study aimed to determine what youth characteristics were associated with emotional and behavioral problems exhibited within the first three months of placement in residential treatment centers (RTCs) in a sample of youth from 20 agencies in 13 states. Two primary research questions were addressed: 1) What characteristics were associated with…

Total of 103 cases of child sexual abuse in which offenders confessed to some level of abuse were examined for purpose of determining extent to which children's statements contained three widely accepted clinical criteria of a true sexual abuse allegation. Criteria were information about context of the sexual abuse, description or demonstration of…

Children of three to five years who had not been sexually abused were exposed to anatomical dolls. The three- to four-year-old age group showed an increased awareness of sexual body parts, while the older group did not. These findings are considered to be useful for professionals who wish to obtain parental approval for similar studies. (DG)

This study examines the characteristics of Texas youth designated as "most difficult to place" recipients of service under the "Exceptional Care Pilot Project" (N = 46). Findings include, among others, high levels of comorbid psychiatric disturbance (greater than 3 diagnostic groupings), physical (78.3%) and sexual (88%)…

Outlines a strategy used at the Midwest Children's Resource Center and Children's Hospital of St. Paul, Minnesota, for therapeutic treatment of preschoolers who are at risk for abuse even though the investigation of the alleged sexual abuse of the preschoolers has proved inconclusive. (BB)

Examines the distinction between good touch and bad touch, a critical concept that is taught in virtually every child sexual abuse prevention program. Hypothesizes that the reason the distinction is difficult for young children to learn and retain stems from limitations in their abilities to judge a person's character. (SKC)

Examined the changes and losses ("reporting costs") experienced by 104 nonoffending parents as a result of the disclosure of sexual abuse of their child. Found that nonoffending parents experienced an average of three major costs from the disclosure of intrafamilial sexual abuse and that reporting costs were relational, financial, vocational, and…

This article reports on results of a one-day public health survey conducted in six states by homeless youth providers to measure and compare risk factors between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) homeless youth and non-LGB homeless youth. This article intends to inform the child welfare field on existing gaps in services and areas where more…

Identifies attitudes of professionals toward the attribution of responsibility for sexual abuse and strategies for case management. Variables that influence professionals' attitudes are discussed. (NH)

Accidental and purposeful disclosures of sexual abuse that were made by children from 3 to 17 years of age who were confirmed as credible victims were studied. The large majority of children at first denied the abuse. Maintains that disclosure is a process with definable phases and characteristics. (BB)

A retrospective review of 77 cases of sexual abuse of boys who were assessed by a multidisciplinary child protection team in Florida provided data on age at time of referral, findings of medical examinations, the relationship of offender to child, and type of abuse. (BB)