Abstract
Recent years have witnessed the development and implementation of clinical services designed to remediate the many deleterious effects of child sexual abuse. However, little information has been disseminated and reviewed in the professional literature to facilitate clinical application and empirical investigation of specific procedures with child victims and their families. This paper provides an overview and critique of treatment programs and modalities, highlighting their achievements and limitations. The methods, characteristics, and empirical outcomes of specific programs are discussed along with future directions and recommendations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams-Tucker, C. (1984). The unmet psychiatric needs of sexually abused youths. Referrals from a child protection agency and clinical evaluations.J. Am. Acad. Child Psychiat. 23: 659–667.
Alter-Reid, K., Gibbs, M. S., Lachnmeyer, J. R., Sigal, J., and Massoth, N. A. (1986). Sexual abuse of children: A review of the empirical findings.Clin. Psychol. Rev. 6: 249–266.
Bander, K. W., Fein, E., and Bishop, G. (1982). Evaluation of child sexual abuse programs. In Sgroi, S. (Ed.),Handbook of Clinical Intervention in Child Sexual Abuse, Lexington Books, Lexington, Mass., pp. 345–376.
Beezley, P. (1977).Sexual Mistreatment of Young Children: An Intervention Model, Paper presented at the conference of the National Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect, Denver, Colo.
Blick, L. C., and Porter, F. S. (1982). Group therpay with female adolescent incest victims. In Sgroi, S. (ed.),Handbook of Clinical Intervention in Child Sexual Abuse Lexington Books, Lexington, Mass., pp. 147–175.
Borgman, R. (1984). Problems of sexually abused girls and their treatment.Social Casework J. Contemp. Social Work 65: 182–186.
Brassard, M. R., Tyler, A., & Kehle, T. J. (1983). Sexually abused children: Identification and suggestions for intervention.School Psychology Review, 12, 93–97.
Browne, A., and Finkelhor, D. (1986). Impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research.Psychol. Bull. 99: 66–77.
Burgess, A. W., Holmstrom, L. L., and McCausland, M. P. (1978). Counseling young victims and their families. In Burgess, A. W., Groth, A. N., Holmstrom, L. L., and Sgroi, S. M. (eds.),Sexual Assault of Children and Adolescents, Lexington Books, Lexington, Mass., pp. 181–204.
Byers, J. (1986). Films for child sexual abuse prevention and treatment: A review.Child Abuse Neglect 10: 541–546.
Conte, J. R. (1984a). Progress in treating the sexual abuse of children.Social Work 29: 258–263.
Conte, J. R. (1984b). The justice system and sexual abuse of children.Social Serv. Rev. 556–568.
Conte, J. R. (1985). The effects of sexual abuse on children: A critique and suggestions for future research.Victimology: The International Journal, 10, 110–130.
Conte, J. R., and Berliner, L. (1981). Sexual abuse of children.Social Casework J. Contemp. Social Work 62: 601–606.
Conte, J. R., & Berliner, L. (in press). The impact of sexual abuse on children: Empirical findings. In L. E. A. Walker (Ed.),Handbook of sexual abuse of children. New York: Springer Publishers.
Damon, L., and Waterman, J. (1986). Parallel group treatment of children and their mothers. In MacFarlane, K., and Waterman, J. (eds.),Sexual Abuse of Young Children: Evaluation and Treatment, Guilford Press, New York, pp. 244–298.
DeJong, A. R. (1985). The medical evaluation of sexual abuse in children.Hosp. Commun. Psychiat. 36: 509–512.
Delson, N., and Clark, M. (1981). Group therapy with sexually molested children.Child Welfare 60: 175–182.
Dixen, J., and Jenkins, J. O. (1981). Incestuous child sexual abuse: A review of treatment strategies.Clin. Psychol. Rev. 1: 211–222.
Finkelhor, D. (1984).Child Sexual Abuse: New Theory and Research, Free Press, New York.
Finkelhor, D. (1986). Designing new studies. In Finkelhor, D. (ed.),A Sourcebook on Child Sexual Abuse, Sage, Beverly Hills, Calif., pp. 199–223.
Finkelhor, D., and Hotaling, G. T. (1984). Sexual abuse in the national incidence study of child abuse and neglect: An appraisal.Child Abuse Neglect 8: 23–33.
Finkelhor, D., and Browne, A. (1985). The traumatic impact of child sexual abuse: A conceptualization.Am. J. Orthopsychiat. 55: 530–541.
Forseth, L. B., and Brown, A. (1981). A survey of intrafamilial sexual abuse treatment centers: Implications of intervention.Child Abuse Neglect 5: 177–186.
Furniss, T., Bingley-Miller, L., and Bentovim, A. (1984). Therapeutic approach to sexual abuse.Arch. Dis. Child. 59: 865–870.
Giaretto, H. (1981). A comprehensive child sexual abuse treatment program. In Mrazek P. B., and Kempe, C. H. (eds.),Sexually Abused Children and Their Families, Pergamon Press, New York.
Giaretto, H. (1982).Integrated Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse: A Treatment and Training Manual, Science and Behavior Books, Palo Alto, Calif.
Green, A. (1980).Child Maltreatment: A Handbook for Mental Health and Child Care Professionals, Jarson Aronson, New York.
Gomes-Schwartz, B., Horowitz, J. M., and Sauzier, M. (1985). Severity of emotional distress among sexually abused preschool, school-age and adolescent children.Hosp. Comm. Psychiat. 36: 503–508.
Haase, C., Magaz, C., Lazoritz, M., and Chiaro, J. (1982).Clinical Experiences of the Therapeutic Group Program for Sexually Abused Preschool Children, Child Protection Team, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, Fa.
James, B., and Nasjleti, M. (1983).Treating Sexually Abused Children and Their Families, Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto, Calif.
Jason, J., Williams, S. L., Burton, A., and Rochat, R. (1982). Epidemiologie differences between sexual and physical child abuse.J. Am. Med. Assoc. 247: 3344–3348.
Jung, M., and Cook, P. (1985). A family systems approach to child assault. In Meier, J. (ed.),Assault against Children;Why It Happens, How To Stop It, College Hill Press, San Diego, Calif., pp. 182–205.
Kelley, S. J. (1984). The use of art therapy with sexually abused children.J. Psychosocial Nursing 22: 12–18.
Kempe, R. S., and Kempe, C. H. (1984).The Common Secret: Sexual Abuse of Children and Adolescents, Freeman, New York.
Kolko, D. J. (1986). Social-cognitive skills training with a sexually abused and abusive child psychiatric patient: Training, generalization, and follow-up.J. Fam. Viol. 1: 149–166.
Krieger, M. J., Rosenfeld, A. A., Gordon, A., and Bennett, M. (1980). Problems in psychotherapy of children with histories of incest.Am. J. Psychother. 34: 81–88.
Kroth, J. A. (1979). Family therapy impact on intrafamilial child sexual abuse.Child Abuse Neglect 3: 297–302.
Lamphear, V. S. (1985). The impact of maltreatment on children's psychosocial adjustment: A review of the research.Child Abuse Neglect 9: 251–264.
Long, S. (1986). Guidelines for treating young children. In MacFarlane, K., and Waterman, J. (eds.),Sexual Abuse of Young Children: Evaluation and Treatment, Guilford Press, New York, pp. 220–243.
Lusk, R., & Waterman, J. (1986). Effects of sexual abuse on children. In K. MacFarlane & J. Waterman (Eds.),Sexual abuse of young children: Evaluation and Treatment. New York: Guilford Press.
MacFarlane, K. (1986). Helping parents cope with extrafamilial molestation. In MacFarlane, K., and Waterman, J. (eds.),Sexual Abuse of Young Children: Evaluation and Treatment, Guilford Press, New York, pp. 299–311.
Mac Vicar, K. (1979). Psychotherapeutic issues in the treatment of sexually abused girls.J. Am. Acad. Child Psychiat. 18: 342–353.
Meddin, B. J., and Hansen, I. (1985). The services provided during a child abuse and/or neglect case investigation and the barriers that exist to service provision.Child Abuse Neglect 9: 175–182.
Meier, J. H. (1985a). Intervention-prevention approaches for assaulted children and their parents and families. In Meier, J. H. (ed.),Assault against Children: Why It Happens, How To Stop It, College Hill Press, San Diego, Calif., pp. 141–181.
Meier, J. H. (1985b). Childhelp, U.S.A./International: A comprehensive approach to the identification, evaluation, management, and prevention of assault against children. In Meier, J. H. (Ed.),Assault against Children: Why It Happens, How To Stop It, College Hill Press, San Diego, Calif., pp. 241–269.
Mrazek, D. A. (1981). The child psychiatric examination of the sexually abused child. In Mrazek, P. B., and Kempe, C. H. (eds.),Sexually Abused Children and Their Families, Pergamon Press, New York.
Mrazek, P. B. (1981a). Group psychotherapy with sexually abused children. In Mrazek, P. B., and Kempe, C. H. (eds.),Sexually Abused Children and Their Families, Pergamon Press, New York.
Mrazek, P. B. (1981b). Special problems in the treatment of child sexual abuse. In Mrazek, P. B., and Kempe, C. H. (eds.),Sexually Abused Children and Their Families, Pergamon Press, New York.
Mrazek, P. B. (1983). Sexual abuse of children. In Lahey, B. B., and Kazdin, A. E. (eds.),Advances in Clinical Child Psychology (Vol. 6), Plenum, New York, pp. 199–215.
Naitove, C. E. (1982). Arts therapy with sexually abused children. In Sgroi, S. (ed.),Handbook of Clinical Intervention in Child Sexual Abuse, Lexington Books, Lexington, Mass., pp. 269–308.
Porter, F. S., Blick, L. C., & Sgroi, S. M. (1982). Treatment of the sexually abuse child. In Sgroi, S. (ed.),Handbook of Clinical Intervention in Child Sexual Abuse, Lexington Books, Lexington, Mass., pp. 109–145.
Riggs, R. S. (1982). Incest: The school's role.J. School Health 56: 365–369.
Rogers, C. M., and Thomas, J. N. (1984). Sexual victimization of children in the USA: Patterns and trends.Clin. Proc. Child. Nat. Med. Cent. 40: 211–221.
Sgroi, S. M. (1982). Family treatment. In Sgroi, S. (ed.),Handbook of Clinical Intervention in Child Sexual Abuse, Lexington Books, Lexington, Mass., pp. 241–267.
Sgroi, S. M., Canfield-Blick, L., and Sarnacki-Porter, F. (1982). A conceptual framework for child sexual abuse. In Sgroi, S. (ed.),Handbook of Clinical Intervention in Child Sexual Abuse, Lexington Books, Lexington, Mass., pp. 9–37.
Sgroi, S. M., and Dana, N. T. (1982). Individual and group treatment of mothers of incest victims. In Sgroi, S. (ed.),Handbook of Clinical Intervention in Child Sexual Abuse, Lexington Books, Lexington, Mass., pp. 191–214.
Stember, C. J. (1980). Art therapy: A new use of the diagnosis and treatment of sexually abused children. In Jones, B., Jenstrom, L. L., and MacFarlane, K. (eds.),Sexual Abuse of Children: Selected Readings, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.
Summit, R. (1985). Causes, consequences, treatment and prevention of sexual assault against children. In Meier, J. H. (ed.),Assault against Children: Why It Happens, How To Stop It, College Hill Press, San Diego, Calif., pp. 47–97.
Swanson, L., and Biaggio, M.D. (1985). Therapeutic perspectives on father-daughter incest.Am. J. Psychiat. 142: 667–674.
Thomas, J. N., and Rogers, C. M. (1984). Behavioral changes and parental responses in cases of child sexual molestation from an urban pediatric hospital.Clin. Proc. Child. Nat. Med. Cent. 40: 222–229.
Waterman, J. (1986). Family dynamics of incest with young children. In MacFarlane, K., and Waterman, J. (eds.),Sexual Abuse of Young Children: Evaluation and Treatment, Guilford press, New York, pp. 204–219.
Williams, G. J. R. (1983). Child abuse reconsidered: The urgency of authentic prevention.J. Chil. Child Psychol. 12: 312–319.
Yates, A., Beutler, L. E., and Crago, M. (1985). Drawings by child victims of incest.Child Abuse Neglect 9: 183–191.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kolko, D.J. Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse: Programs, progress, and prospects. J Fam Viol 2, 303–318 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00993297
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00993297