Childhood Sexual Abuse

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the effects of childhood sexual abuse are legion including physical, social, emotional, and sexual malfunctions. The paper points out that there are psychological indicators that may include complaints about abuse, intricate stories/games/fantasies or questions involving sexual abuse, and drawings depicting abuse, sexual organs, or sexual situations between adults and children. The author believes that a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist can not only help ease the pain of the abuse and help prepare the child for testimony, but also can provide evidence to help with an ongoing criminal or civil court case.

From the Paper:

"Investigators, whether in the police or elsewhere, should always be careful not to ask leading questions or try to force the child into a certain interpretation of events. Children are easily intimidated, especially when they have been abused by adults, and can be forced to change their stories if subjected to harsh interrogation. Questions ought not be in the form of a suggestive narrative (such as "tell me about the time he touched your privates." when no such reference has been made so far), as children may believe that they are being invited to engage in a game of make-believe or even feel that they are required to tell a story to make the interviewer happy. Open ended questions are far better. "Has anyone ever touched you in a way you didn't like?" followed by "Who?" and "What happened?" is far more productive."

More papers on Childhood Sexual Abuse:

• Research Proposal # 122191 : "Intimacy following Childhood Sexual Abuse"
• Essay # 27422 : "Childhood Sexual Abuse"
• Research Paper # 105888 : "Childhood Sexual Abuse and Self-Destructive Behavior"

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