Examines the Little Rascals Day Care Center case (Edenton, NC) from the viewpoint of a therapist who worked with some of the children involved. The role of therapist is a difficult one in these cases as the definition of a therapist is stretched to include that of evidence-gatherer, and patient confidentiality is compromised. (JPS)

The medical director of a child protection center reflects on the unique problems of the therapist involved in court litigation and how these cases have changed the definition of the role. Therapists need to work with others involved in the case to minimize the harmful effects of such cases. (JPS)

Randomly sampled U.S. doctoral-level psychotherapists and British psychologists were surveyed regarding clients' memories of childhood sexual abuse. The samples were similar on a wide variety of measures. Across samples, 25% reported a constellation of beliefs and practices suggestive of a focus on memory recovery, and psychologists reported…

Counselor reactions to sex offenders is an area ignored in the professional literature and needs to be examined. Self-reflection and insight is crucial to advancing the profession of therapy, especially in difficult areas such as child molestation. Additionally, poor management of a therapist's feelings toward victims and perpetrators can lead to…

Surveyed 531 college students to examine prevalence of campus sexual assault. Found that one in six women reported assault, with no difference in rate between first- and upper-year women. Alcohol was more commonly involved than was force. Nonconsensual intercourse increased over time in college. Concluded that universities need carefully timed and…

Describes study examining prevalence of nonconsensual sexual experiences in dating situations among female college students. Over 38% of respondents report experiencing some form of sexual victimization. Suggests victimization related to childhood sexual abuse and previous consensual sexual activity. Discusses need for education and prevention…

Estimated incidence of unwanted sexual experiences on one college campus. Based on self-administered survey, estimated that 34 percent of women had experienced contact; 20 percent experienced attempted intercourse; and 10 percent experienced completed intercourse. Argues that stranger-acquaintance dichotomy be abandoned in favor of typology…

Discusses a new finding that repeated sexual abuse in childhood underlies damage to the hippocampus, a structure previously implicated in short-term memory. (MKR)

Developed a monitoring system to record information on the scope and nature of the problem of sexual assault at an Australian university. Discusses the implications for Australian university campus safety, sexual assault policies and protocols, and prevention initiatives. (SLD)

Surveyed female college students to examine whether theoretical constructs typically associated with male perpetrators of sexual coercion would be predictive of women who perpetrated sexual coercion. About 18 percent of the respondents reported engaging in sexually coercive behaviors, and coercive women differed from noncoercive women in terms of…

Tested a model that hypothesized an indirect relationship between sexual abuse and eating disorders, with the effects of sexual abuse being mediated through bodily shame and body disparagement. Surveys of female undergraduate students indicated that 60 percent had been sexually abused, 8 percent had diagnosable eating disorders, and 72.7 percent…

Surveyed male subjects (N=99), mostly undergraduates, on their abusive behavior of women and various attitudes. Approximately one-half of respondents admitted to one or more abusive acts. Social and political correlates characterizing men who sexually abuse women were examined. (Author/ABL)

This report is the result of the first investigation by an independent body of a problem that has plagued the U.S. Air Force Academy for at least a decade, and possibly since the admission of women in 1976. At the direction of Congress, the Secretary of Defense appointed seven U.S. citizens with expertise in the military academies, behavioral and…

Comments on some of the philosophical and moral problems inherent in prosecuting a child sexual abuse case. This particular case was complicated by the multiple victims and multiple perpetrators. Both medical and psychological clinical expert witnesses need to be aware of and respectful of the ground rules of the courtroom. (JPS)

The Little Rascals Day Care Center case is examined from a judge's perspective, with particular attention to docketing concerns for child sex abuse cases, the use of interdisciplinary teams, the "court school" approach, and issues related to ensuring the defendants are receiving their constitutional right to a speedy trial. (JPS)