Bullying StatisticsSix Major Types of Psychological MaltreatmentImpact of Psychological Maltreatment on Children: Summary of the ResearchRecognizing Abuse and NeglectResponding to the Child's Disclosure of Abuse- Definition – The use of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult p. 113o The use of sex by an adult to gain power, dominance and control over a child- Statistics o 97% of offenders are maleo 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 familyo 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 Abuseo Voyeurismo Exposureo Suggestive or “Dirty” Talko Pornography (showing or involving a child)o Fondlingo Masturbation – both from and towards victimo Rubbing genitals on the childo Penetrationo Rape – Any sexual activity in which force, threats of force, or threats in general are used. Penetration does nothave 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, powerlessnesso 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 offendero 50-70% of male sex offenders were offended when they were childreno Poor attachment is a root contributor of offending as an adulto Usually manipulative, low self-esteem, poor social skills, unable to achieve intimacy - Consent and Free willo Informed Consent – means the child must have a full understanding of the significance of the sexual encountero 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 - Incesto Legally defined as sexual intercourse between two persons so closely related that marriage is prohibited by lawo Socially defined – sex between step-parents and children or between step-siblingso 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 memberso 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 thenassault by a stranger, children may be responsible for the incestuous encounter- Factors contributing to Sexual Abuseo Cultural norms that allow adults to impose their will on children, support male dominance/sexualityo Childhood Experiences (70% of male offenders were offended as children). o Vulnerable role relationships – Step, foster, and adopted children, and Non-custodial or single parentso Partner characteristics – Rejection, ridicule or defiance by a partner, Infidelity, Withholding sexo 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 parentfamily, has mental disabilities, has few friendso 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 Mechanismso Behavioral – Feign sleep, Hide, Withdrawal, Submission, Some might report the abuseo Psychological – Denial, Repression, Regression, Rationalization, Dissociationo Child Incest Victims – Internal/External Behavior Problems, Psychological problems, Physical symptoms, Age inappropriate sexual behaviors, Reluctance to be with a certain person, PTSDo 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). - Philosophieso 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 ito 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 abuseo 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