Analysis of the cases of 57 girls, aged 8-14, from multiproblem families, half of whom had experienced incest, found no differences on global measures, but girls who had experienced incest had significantly lower self-esteem, more troubled relationships with their mothers, more sexualized attitudes and behaviors, and more aggression turned inward…

Examines issues related to acquaintance rape: cultural context, legal issues, adolescent attitudes and development, alcohol and sexual assault, the assailants, the victims, and the institutional response, and makes recommendations for a system that all colleges should have in place. (SM)

A discussion of sexuality and college students looks at these issues: sexual communication and self-image; sexual orientation; the "virginity burden" syndrome; communicable diseases and pregnancy; sexual abuse and rape; alcohol and sex; and condom use. Student comments are included. (MSE)

This study evaluated the relationship of race/ethnicity (Latina, African American, or white) to severity of symptoms in sexually abused girls. A racially mixed sample of 134 girls was evaluated in depression, anxiety, and self-worth. Race/ethnicity alone did not predict outcome, but the interaction of race/ethnicity with the type of abuse was…

Argues that the higher incidence of depression among adolescent females is due to the interaction of two factors: (1) girls enter early adolescence with a style of responding to frustration and distress that is less efficacious and action oriented than boys; and (2) girls begin to face certain uncontrollable stressors in early adolescence to a…

Undergraduate students (n=480) responded to a vignette describing a sexual interaction between a father and daughter (either 7 or 15 years old). More causal and moral responsibility was attributed to victims who responded passively. Older victims were perceived to be more morally responsible than younger victims but only in situations involving…

Compared the school performance of sexually abused children and neglected children with the performance of two matched groups of nonmaltreated children, those from lower middle class families and from families receiving public assistance. Analyses of children's behavior ratings and school achievement indicated marked cognitive and behavioral…

Assessed effectiveness of group counseling program for seven sexually abused girls. Obtained measurements of self-esteem, anxiety, loneliness, and behavior problems prior to, during, and after treatment at one- and nine-month intervals. Children's self-report measures demonstrated significant increase in self-esteem and significant decrease in…

Examines definitions of sexual abuse and primary prevention; considers the appropriateness and fairness of child abuse prevention programs in the light of child abuse theory and developmentally appropriate educational practices; and reviews the quality and effects of some programs. Suggests caregivers and educators consider greater parent and…

A study assessed how 141 Republic of Palau teachers perceived the severity of potentially abusive incidents and their intervention recommendations. For less-severe parental misconduct, teachers were reluctant to involve nonfamily and outside agencies. Sexual abuse was rated the most serious type of abuse, and intervention was highly recommended.…

Argues that the purpose of teaching students to read includes challenging children to take up books that contain "dangerous truths." Discusses two such books: "Forged by Fire" by Sharon Draper and "The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis. Includes children's statements regarding why they insist on being able to read good…

A survey of 825 female undergraduates found 62 percent participated in a "good touch-bad touch" sexual abuse prevention program in school. Eight percent who reported ever having had a prevention program also reported having been subsequently sexually abused, compared to 14 percent who did not ever have a prevention program. (Contains references.)…

Examines the economic and cultural contexts of the popular television show "Twin Peaks," reading it as reactionary postmodernism. Argues that the show's clever innovations in production, avant-garde techniques, and postmodern sensibilities obscure in-depth or ongoing discussions about its reactionary politics, regressive and misogynistic…

Reviews suggestions derived from the clinical and experimental literatures for interviewing child witnesses to abuse. Guidelines for questioning children are provided and phases of a forensic interview are outlined in a step-by-step fashion. The suggestions presented highlight a developmental perspective designed to facilitate children's memory…

Data on reported incidents of murder, forcible and nonforcible sexual offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor-vehicle theft and on arrests for liquor-law violations, drug use, and weapons possession are presented for 487 colleges and universities with populations of over 5,000 for both 1995 and 1996. For each institution…