The national statistics for child sexual abuse are staggering. In 2004, there were 209,880 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assaults according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. While effective treatment alternatives for victims are being provided, non-offending caregivers can be easily overlooked. Mason and Erooga (1990) have…

Compared social skills of rapists and child molesters with those of nonsex-offender inmates and with nonincarcerated males of low and high socioeconomic status. Subjects (N=100) engaged in conversation with a female confederate. Results showed that child molesters presented a clearer profile of heterosocial inadequacy than did rapists. (BH)

Objective:: Child maltreatment and family functioning were examined as predictors of adult rape in a sample of 925 college women. Method:: Information was obtained from retrospective self-report questionnaires. Child sexual abuse (CSA) was assessed with the Life Experiences Questionnaire, child emotional abuse (CEA) and physical abuse (CPA) were…

Research has suggested that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) may be a risk factor for adulthood sexual assault. This study examined associations between CSA experiences, cognitive resiliency variables, and revictimization. Participants were 73 college-age females who completed self-report questionnaires assessing CSA, adult assault, self-efficacy,…

Several investigations have demonstrated that individuals tend to blame the victims of personal misfortune. However, few studies have been conducted to determine the dimensionality of the victim blame construct. Previous research has distinguished between two kinds of self-blame: behavioral and characterological. Individuals may blame themselves…

This manual is addressed to personnel in medical facilities, prosecutor's offices, police departments and social service agencies. It suggests a set of procedures as guidelines to provide sexual assault victims with strong support so that each one may come through the the experience a stronger person. The manual is divided into five chapters,…

Sexual abuse can have many disturbing consequences for the child and the family. A counseling approach should be to help an abused child and the offender feel that they are still worthwhile individuals. Underlying issues in the family should also be explored. (Author)

Long-term recidivism rates of 197 child molesters released from prison between 1958 and 1974 were examined. Of the total sample, 42% were reconvicted for sexual crimes, violent crimes, or both. Other factors associated with increased recidivism were never being married and previous sexual offenses. (Author/SR)

This article explains the legal distinctions between rape, statutory rape, and child abuse and school counselors' obligations related to each. In addition, complicating issues such as cultural differences as well as the potential effect of mandated reporting on counselors' roles are addressed. (Contains 18 references.) (GCP)

Research was undertaken on the criminal careers of a large group of juvenile sexual and non-sexual offenders (of violence and property) in the Netherlands. Data from police records over a 6-year period from 1996 to 2002 were analysed. Results show that, with the exception of those in the exhibitionist subgroup, young sexual offenders start their…

Child molesters, rapists, and three control groups were assessed on measures of heterosocial skills, social anxiety, hostility, impulsivity, and attitudinal variables via role-play and paper-and-pencil measures. Heterosocial skill deficits and specific anxieties and fears were observed in child molesters and rapists. Measures of hostility or…

The relationship between suicidal ideation and behavior and five types of sexual victimization is studied (N=393 female undergraduate students). Adult sexual victimization and childhood sexual abuse were related to the presence of hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Implications for future research, clinical practice, and preventive interventions…

Clinical practice has supported the use of structured interviews with perpetrators and victims of sexual offenses. However, empirical studies have not examined the differential utility of structured interviews and self-report questionnaires for obtaining information about sex offenders' modus operandi. Compares the ability of these two assessment…

In the primary article, the societal norms that encourage violence against women are reviewed, from both the current and historical viewpoints. Violence in all its forms when used on adolescent women is a contributing factor in many other problems. Both young men and young women learn stereotypes and misinformation about women provoking violence…