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,…

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…

Distills the essence of Freud's thinking about incest, placing it within the context of childhood sexuality. Discusses clinical and research implications concerning the relationship between sexual trauma and emotional disturbances. Raises questions requiring further investigation. (NH)

Describes a family therapy treatment for child sexual abuse. Three stages of treatment, noncommittal or oppositional, middle, and resolution stage, are outlined. Treatments for offender, victim and nonoffending parent are explained. (DG)

Reports on case studies on children's stress regarding genital examinations. Ways to reduce stress include preparing the child, giving the child increased control, and debriefing the child and parents after the examination. (LB)

"Traumatic bonding" is defined as "the evolution of emotional dependency between...a child and an adult [in] a relationship characterized by periodic sexual abuse." Maintains that the concept holds promise for explaining confusing dynamics of incest. Demonstrates ways in which traumatic bonding can be applied to cases of incest…

Toronto's Sexual Abuse Treatment Project (SATP) is described. Results of the evaluation of the first 18 months of the program are reported. The role of a specialized sexual abuse therapy program within a child welfare setting is discussed. (Author/BN)

Discusses the international problem of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and efforts to stop the practice and assist the victims. Considers initiatives to formulate a worldwide policy against CSEC, and anti-CSEC efforts in the United States, including law enforcement and education, and advocacy efforts and services for youth.…

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)

This study examined the number and types of questions employed in clinical and computer-assisted interviews with children referred for sexual abuse evaluation. Findings suggest that many children are able to describe sexual abuse with careful questioning that includes nonleading but focused inquiry. Findings pose implications for practice and…

Surveyed adult survivors of abuse about their attempts, as children, to get help by disclosing it to someone who might intervene. Found that disclosure usually did not bring an end to the abuse, and that little action was taken to control the perpetrator; responses received by children were linked to their levels of self-esteem and family…

Presents strategies for interviewing and assisting highly avoidant children who may be victims of maltreatment. Discusses factors inhibiting their self-disclosure, the importance of managing child safety, and establishing and maintaining rapport. Describes strategies including pacing the interview, empowering the child, and using distancing…

Reviews the literature on children's retraction of their disclosure of having been sexually abused. The evidence indicates that very few lied originally. The circumstances that underlie recantation, including false allegations, secrecy, denial, lack of support, pressure to recant, societal attitudes, and intervening events, are discussed, and…

Describes a play-therapy group for sexually abused children in a rural California area. The focus of the group therapy was to restore the children's self-esteem. Services were part of an overall treatment program for families. (Author/DB)

Presents practical suggestions for managing a protective service agency for children when one of its staff members is accused of sexually abusing a child in residential care. The agency must balance the tasks of protecting the child, supporting the staff, and maintaining the integrity and reputation of the agency. (GLR)