A study compared 72 girls (ages 5-16) sexually abused by brothers, fathers, or stepfathers. Results suggested few differences in characteristics of sexual abuse. However, penetration was much more frequent in the sibling incest group. More victims of fathers and brothers manifested clinically significant distress (90%), than stepfather victims…

This study found that, although the mental representations of 20 sexually abused and 20 physically abused females (ages 7-12) did not differ, the internal images of the abused groups differed from images of 20 nonabused but distressed children. Thus it is abuse, and not simply family distress, that results in impaired object relations. (Author/JDD)

Describes forms of and reasons behind child abuse. Describes camp staff's role as reporters of suspected abuse. Describes techniques for identifying and dealing with abuse victims. Recommends offering victims respect, support, advocacy, and unconditional love. Describes steps staff might take to maximize camp's effectiveness in helping abuse…

Synthesizes theoretical and empirical findings about psychological responses to traumatization across survivors of rape, childhood sexual or physical abuse, domestic violence, crime, disasters, and the Vietnam War. Describes five major categories of response and presents new theoretical model for understanding individual variations in victim…

Issues involved in preventing child sexual abuse and findings on the nature of sexual abuse prevention programs for children are presented. Empirical research on the effectiveness of these programs is examined, and the significance of unintended consequences of the programs is addressed. Program development and implementation are considered. (SLD)

Examines whether men exposed to filmed sexual violence are less physiologically aroused and less emotionally responsive to subsequent depictions of violence against women. Investigates, secondarily, the magnitude of the relationship between physiological reactions, emotional reactions, and subsequent judgments. (MS)

Summarizes what is currently known about the potential, immediate, and long-term impact of child sexual abuse. The various problems and symptoms described in the literature on child sexual abuse are reviewed in a series of broad categories including posttraumatic stress, cognitive distortions, emotional pain, avoidance, an impaired sense of self,…

Presents a brief history of the medical profession's attention to child sexual abuse; describes the physician's role as reporter and evaluator of medical evidence; and suggests areas where practice may be improved or research is needed. It explains why more detailed guidelines and protocols are needed for medical personnel involved in sexual abuse…

This survey of 750 young adult males found that the combination of emotional abuse with multiple events of sexual abuse in the respondent's childhood was a relatively good predictor of both poor mental health, and later sexual interest in or sexual contact with children. (Author/DB)

Evaluated the relationship between abuse-specific variables and levels of depression, anxiety, and self-worth in a racially mixed sample of 134 sexually abused girls. Found penetration predicted a more serious outcome on all study variables, and an interaction effects between force and perpetrator's identity. (JBJ)

A New Zealand mail survey (n=1,376) and interviews (n=497) evaluated the long-term impact of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of female children surveyed as adults. Similarities in outcomes among the three forms of abuse were more apparent than differences, though sexual abuse was particularly associated with sexual problems, emotional abuse…

Analysis of interactions during 55 videotaped interviews of high-risk sex abuse cases found no support for the assumption that a credible disclosure of abuse must include the display of emotion by the child. Some behavioral differences between preschool and school-age children were found, but no gender differences. (Author/DB)

Interviews conducted with 602 youths at public health clinics revealed that a history of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or rape was related to engaging in a variety of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors and to a continuation or increase in the number of these behaviors between adolescence and young adulthood. (Author/JDD)

Analysis of the perceptions of 292 young adults regarding both psychologically, physically, and sexually abusive behaviors and supportive behaviors of parents found that gender of parent, child, and observer may affect young adults' perceptions of parental abusiveness and supportiveness. (DB)

This article presents a model approach for management of child sexual abuse data for centers that provide medical evaluations of suspected sexual abuse victims. Information and guidelines for developing a computer database and for efficient entry of the data by clinical personnel are outlined. (Author/JDD)