The special issue features 11 articles on the topic of child sexual abuse. Aspects of family dynamics, social services intervention, and school programs are discussed. (CL)

A five-phase treatment program for fathers who committed incest includes crisis intervention and assessment; analysis of the sequence of events, thoughts, moods, and behaviors preceding sexual contact; client takes responsibility for the abuse; origin of the abuse is put into the context of client's problems and intrafamilial problems; and…

This document contains an introduction by Richard D. Krugman and five papers from the Adolescent Sex Offender Work Group meeting, which provide an overview of the present status of treatment programs for adolescent sexual offenders, methodological and ethical issues in research on etiology and treatment, and perspectives on research from those…

Reports findings from a therapeutic intervention consisting of homogeneous group therapy and sexual education with same-sex therapist/clients. Female incest victims in the experimental group (N=15) showed a significant increase in positive self-esteem and developed a significantly increased knowledge of human sexuality, birth control, and venereal…

"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…

Three intervention programs for intrafamilial child sexual assaults are described, including Pretrial Diversion program (incarceration time is reduced for offenders who attend treatment programs); Post-Plea Diversion program (postpones the felony hearing pending the successful completion of an offender treatment program); and Prelegal Diversion…

Assigned women (N=58) sexually abused as children by close relative to interpersonal transaction group (IT), process group, or wait list condition. On measures of social adjustment, depression, fearfulness, and general distress, results indicated that IT and process groups were more effective than wait list in reducing depression and distress and…

Outlines characteristics of sex offenders, including family and school histories, sexual attitudes, social skills and relationships, delinquent behaviors, psychiatric diagnoses, and cognitive distortions based on mythical beliefs. Treatment requires correction of thinking errors and promotion of accountability, empathy, education, morality,…

Provides a critical discussion of current research on the efficacy of family and group interventions for child sexual abuse victims. Treatment goals and components are described, followed by a review of relevant empirical studies. Suggestions are presented for improving the methodology of future sexual abuse intervention research. (JPS)

The recovery process for victims of childhood incest is a dynamic one that involves integration of traumatic material into the personality. Reliably and validly measuring the coping or recovery process that is facilitated by therapeutic interventions is a first step in understanding the treatment process and in creating effective and efficient…

Examines problems related to child sexual abuse assessment and intervention methods, especially in instances of intrafamilial offenses. Discusses the benefits of alternative strategies in use today, and the adaptations that child welfare workers, social workers, and other professionals have made to enhance intervention effectiveness. Suggests that…

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…

Statistics indicate that 100,000 to 500,000 children are sexually abused yearly. Changing child abuse laws, significant attention by the media, and sexual abuse prevention programs have contributed to the explosion of incest disclosures from children and adults, including college students. Studies support the prevalence of incest victims within…

This paper reviews information regarding the incidence, demographic characteristics, family characteristics, and immediate/ongoing characteristics of incest victims. The characteristics reported include behavioral indicators of abuse, such as acting-out behavior, self-destructive behaviors, and provocative and inappropriate sexual behaviors;…

This paper outlines developments in child protection from an international point of view and offers a perspective into the twenty-first century. The paper focuses on management of intrafamilial child maltreatment (identification, treatment, government intervention, primary prevention); and management of extrafamilial child maltreatment through…