Definition The use of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult p 113 o The use of sex by an adult to gain power dominance and control over a child Statistics o 97 of offenders are male o 77 of the victims are females 1 in 3 girls are thought to be molested by the time they are 18 Girls are more likely to be victims of incest or sexual abuse within the family o 1 in 7 boys are molested by age 18 some researchers suggest that it may be as prevalent as girls Boys are more likely to be victims by perpetrators outside the family o 250 000 to 300 000 children are abused every year in the United States Median age is 9 10 years old but children are vulnerable at all ages including infancy Types of Sexual Abuse o Voyeurism o Exposure o Suggestive or Dirty Talk o Pornography showing or involving a child o Fondling o Masturbation both from and towards victim o Rubbing genitals on the child o Penetration o Rape Any sexual activity in which force threats of force or threats in general are used Penetration does not have to occur Offender Characteristics o Offender Preconditions Motivation emotional congruence sexual arousal blockage of normal outlets Lack of Internal Inhibitors Alcohol Psychosis Senility Impulse Disorder Lack of External Inhibitors The victim s mother lack of privacy isolation Child s Resistance Children who have poor self concept lack of knowledge powerlessness o Offender Perpetrator characteristics Usually older possesses more knowledge about sex compared to victim more powerful than the victim the act is primarily for the sexual gratification of the offender o 50 70 of male sex offenders were offended when they were children o Poor attachment is a root contributor of offending as an adult o Usually manipulative low self esteem poor social skills unable to achieve intimacy Consent and Free will o Informed Consent means the child must have a full understanding of the significance of the sexual encounter o A child cannot give informed consent because Not developmentally mature enough to have a full understanding Is not really free to say no Since the perpetrator uses illegitimate power when initiating sexual contact submission on the part of the child cannot be viewed as voluntary Incest o Legally defined as sexual intercourse between two persons so closely related that marriage is prohibited by law o Socially defined sex between step parents and children or between step siblings o Under reported Under treated For every reported cases 25 cases go un reported Disclosure is problematic Absence of visible scars victim tends to accept responsibility for the abuse strong emotional bond between the child and the perpetrator identification is contingent upon the actions of the victim and family members o Myths Limited to rural sections of country it s just a one or two time occurrence with a single child it s just another normal deviation in a varied sex life the incest taboo limits incest incest is less traumatic then assault by a stranger children may be responsible for the incestuous encounter Factors contributing to Sexual Abuse o Cultural norms that allow adults to impose their will on children support male dominance sexuality o Childhood Experiences 70 of male offenders were offended as children o Vulnerable role relationships Step foster and adopted children and Non custodial or single parents o Partner characteristics Rejection ridicule or defiance by a partner Infidelity Withholding sex o Factors that make the child readily available to the abuser Crowded living conditions Sleeping arrangements Parents work different shifts Child care arrangements o Factors affecting self esteem Loss of a job Unemployment Injuries Illness Disabilities Rejection by peers or family members o Child Factors A child who has been sexually abused in the past who is neglected or deprived is from a single parent family has mental disabilities has few friends o Family Factors Family problems Parental incapacity Marital Status single parent at higher risk Characteristics Alcoholism Drugs Authoritarian fathers Social isolation of the family Categories of familial sexual abuse o Single Event Family not generally known to the public service system appear normal Opposed to multi problem families with a long history of public involvement o Patterns Dyadic Most common involves two people perpetrator and victim Group Sex Single Multiple Offender and single multiple victims Sexual Exploitation Children are used to produce pornography or sold as prostitutes Sex Rings Boys are more likely to be victimized generally developed by pedophiles Ritualistic Sexual Abuse Private Occurs frequently and in the same manger Group Involves more than two persons and is likely to include occult practices Defense Mechanisms o Behavioral Feign sleep Hide Withdrawal Submission Some might report the abuse o Psychological Denial Repression Regression Rationalization Dissociation o Child Incest Victims Internal External Behavior Problems Psychological problems Physical symptoms Age inappropriate sexual behaviors Reluctance to be with a certain person PTSD o Adult Survivors Frigidity Promiscuity Delinquency Depression Suicidal ideation attempt complete Phobias Psychosis Eating disorders Anxiety attacks PTSD Dissociative disorders Multiple personality Identity dissociate disorder 95 of people with DI s have a history of sexual abuse Philosophies o Child Protection Movement Sees sexual abuse as the third form of child maltreatment Sees protection of the child as paramount and the family is responsible for it o Feminist Movement Considers the assault of children as representative of societal values Because of the patriarchal structure women and children have inferior status and are subject to male dominance Progression phases of sexual abuse o Process May begin with the adult disrobing or appearing nude in the presence of a child Grooming Perpetrator tries out behaviors to measure the child s comfort Kissing Fondling will follow Masturbation Oral Genital Contact Frottage Dry Intercourse involves rubbing penises against the child Adult will then either digitally or penilely penetrate the vagina or rectum o Engagement phase perpetrator gains access to the child engages him her and conveys to the child that the behavior is acceptable Pressured Sex Perpetrator uses enticement Entrapment makes the child feel indebted or obligated Forced Sex Involves the threat of harm or use of force May use intimidation Usually only used when