Re: Child Sexual Abuse Research

["Randall Webber" <rwebber@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Kerry-I can provide more details if you like, but my colleague Bill White
has developed a list of "traumagenic factors" associated with childhood
sexual abuse.  He was interested in determining the difference in
psychological reaction between household populations of women who were
sexually abused as children, and clinical populations who were also abused.
 These are the traumagenic factors, which are usually more severe in
clinical populations:

-  Length of abuse (a one-time incident or very limited length of abuse vs
years)
-  Invasiveness of abuse (being flashed or fondled vs forcible penetration
of any type/more boundary-                                          
invasive)
-  Identity of abuser (Stranger vs family member or someone else close to
the family.  The younger the           child, the more chance that it will
appear that someone "sanctioned" by the family to be in the home is        
       also "sanctioned" to commit the abuse).
-  Number of abusers (One abuser = some people can't be trusted and the
world can be a dangerous    place.  Multiple abusers, sometimes virtually
every male who enters her world = no one can be trusted    and the world is
always a dangerous place.)
-  Reaction to disclosure (is the abuser immediately removed from the home
and child reassured that the    abuse was not her fault, and that she was a
victim, or is the victim disbelieved or blamed for the abuse,    and the
abuser not confronted and made to take responsibility.  If no action toward
abuser, abuse will    usually continue and often get worse)
-  Presence of violence associated with the abuse or threat of violence
toward victim's family member,          family pet or prized possession.
"I'll go after your little sister"  "I'll drown your puppy" "You'll never
see         your comfort blanket again")  

This is not the product of formal research, but rather based on observation
of and interviews with clients who are enrolled in an addiction program for
women with histories of abusing or neglecting their children.

White, William L. & Godley, Mark D. (1990).  "Project SAFE Program
Handbook-Revised Edition", Illinois Department of Children and Family
Services/Illinois Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse",
Springfield, IL.

White, William L. (1995).  "SAFE 95:  A Status Report on Project SAFE, an
Innovative Project Designed to Break the Cycle of Maternal Substance Abuse
and Child Neglect/Abuse",  Illinois Department of Children and Family
Services/Illinois Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse",
Springfield, IL.

-  Randy Webber
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J. Randall Webber, M.P.H. <rwebber@chestnut.org>
Director of Training and Publications
Lighthouse Institute
Chestnut Health Systems
720 W. Chestnut St
Bloomington, IL  61701
309/829-1058 Ext 3411    309/829-4661 (fax)
http://www.chestnut.org

----------
> From: Kerry M. Wallis <kmwallis@ix.netcom.com>
> To: Child Maltreatment Researchers  
<CHILD-MALTREATMENT-RESEARCH-L@cornell.edu>
> Subject: Child Sexual Abuse Research
> Date: Friday, January 29, 1999 12:24 AM
> 
> 	Hi folks,
> 
> I am full steam into my dissertation research and I'd like to know if
> anyone has any leads on my topic. Child Sexual Abuse as a predictor of
> Borderline Personality Disorder with attachment theory as a co-factor.
> 
> I have read Briere, Paris, Finkelhor, Kernberg, Clarkin, Widom.
> 
> Does anyone have any research leads for this topic. 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> kerry
> 
> 
> Kerry M. Wallis, M.S., CASAC
> Doctoral Student - Walden University
> Specialization - Clinical Psychology
> email address - kmwallis@ix.netcom.com
>                 kerryw@waldenu.edu
> Phone: 718 826-3967
> Fax  : 718 826-6013
> 
> "Invest in yourself, the dividends are priceless".
> 
> *****************************************