Diagnosing child sex abuse: A research challenge.

摘要: Abstract Child sex abuse increasingly is recognised as a societal problem that can no longer be ignored. In this paper definitions, prevalence, trends, assessment, and available diagnostic procedures are described critically evaluated. It argued the lack of reliable remains one main difficulties in dealing effectively with detrimental effects CSA on child or adult. The research challenge to find effective alternative outlined. Key words: (CSA), diagnosis, disclosure, assessment. Introduction Sex Abuse (CSA) social demands vigorous scrutiny formal investigation. Although some form incest taboo has existed across most cultures, sexual children been denied, condoned, sanctioned throughout history. Over last decade area increased exponentially attracted increasing attention not only from health professionals (Miller & Veltkamp, 1995) but also public, legal, media interest. Issues surrounding include veracity reports, extent short-term long-term negative child, controversy over therapeutic interventions help overcome CSA. Sexual includes many types trauma, single attacks by strangers incestuous relationships parent close relative. paper, term will used denote all victimization, whereas respect experiences between individuals related blood marriage, whom such activity prohibited virtue taboos. Problems definitions Despite efforts promote uniform criterion for defining CSA, there still variations adopted researchers working field. definition varies several dimensions, example, level physical contact, age victim, perpetrator, difference victim issues do consent. Legally may defined "... any activity, before legal consent, gratification an adult significantly older child" (Rappley Woolford, 1998, p. 49), while commonly as: ... involvement dependent immature adolescents activities they fully understand which unable give informed violate taboos family roles. (Helfer Kempe, 1976, p.60). By-and-large agree should confined actual violation rape, adversely affect reported cases. Importantly definitional differences markedly prevalence rates (Haugaard Emery, 1989; Russell, 1984; Wyatt, 1985; Wyatt Peters 1986). Irish context, Ward (1997) extended exposure pornography, exhibitionism, perverse activities, viewing acts. Also included range contact adults fondling, oral-genital digital penetration, (all leave physically detectable traces), intercourse. Furthermore, it widely agreed use power threats and/or exploitation authority differential kind dependence, matter what abuser abused. Once these factors different picture emerges. Prevalence two decades United Kingdom Ireland, like other countries worldwide, have witnessed substantial increase number incidents (Benedeck Schetky, 1987; Dammeyer, 1998; Haugaard Lamb, 1994; Wood, Orsak, Murphy, Cross, 1996). …