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Child sexual abuse is a crime that elicits desire for social retaliation and great moral outrage. The experts say official statistics doesn’t reflect the real frequency of child sexual abuse, especially in families. Approximately 9 percent of boys and 20 percent of girls are the victims of this crime before the age of 18. The objective of this research is to analyze the concept of sexual abuse and to outline the actions making adult the sexual abuser. Besides, it is necessary to discuss the role of the non-offending adult and to explain the complex relationship among family members when children are being sexually abused. The results of this investigation should be used in the future work as a human service professional working with families involved with abuse.
Sexual abuse in families
The definition of sexual abuse is still under discussion. However, all the experts have a few common ideas. First, it is necessary to distinguish between child sexual abuse and incest. These terms are related but not interchangeable. The incest is the sexual relations between biologically related family members. Thus, the incest isn’t take place in the relations between stepfather and adopted daughter. In many definitions the concept incest involves the heterosexual relations only.
The child sexual abuse is more universal term. The most comprehensive definition of child sexual abuse, borrowed from Sandra Butler, is “any sexual activity or experience imposed on a child which results in emotional, physical, or sexual trauma” (Butler 1985:5).
There are two the most popular classifications of sexually abusive actions. These classifications are intended for clinical analysis and illustrate the activities to which children may be subjected. The classification of Summit and Kryso (1978) consists of ten points including incidental sexual contact, ideological sexual contact, psychotic intrusion, subcultural environment, where there are few cultural value contradictions, child rape and perverse abuse, which is the most bizarre and destructive with emphasis on multiple partners and ritualistic torture. The categories of sexual abuse presented by Kempes (1984) better correspond to the nowadays reality. They are: “(1) incest—sexual activity between family members; (2) paedophilia—the preference of an adult for prepubertal children as sex objects; (3) exhibitionism—the exposure of genitals by an adult male; (4) molestation—behaviours such as touching, fondling, kissing, and masturbation; (5) sexual intercourse—including oral-genital, anal-genital, or penile-vaginal contact; (6) rape—sexual or attempted intercourse without consent of the victim; (7) sexual sadism—the infliction of bodily injury as a means of obtaining sexual excitement; (8) child pornography—the production and distribution of material involving minors in sexual acts; and (9) child prostitution—the involvement of children in sex acts for profit.” Thus, any of these actions when speaking of children, make an adult the sexual abuser.
The role of non-offensive parent
Ideally, the non-offensive parent should resolve feelings of denial, shock and disbelief, and hold the offender responsible for the abuse. Besides, non-offending parent should support and protect the abused child – as well as other potentially vulnerable family members. The non-offending parent should collaborate with social workers, lawyers, and victim therapists, comply with their recommendations, and take immediate actions if any concerns arise. Levenson (2001) writes:
“The non-offensive parent must first have an accurate understanding of the offender’s abuse history. Because no one will have this information until after the offender has passed a full-disclosure polygraph…”
Unfortunately there are a few non-offensive parents who can act ideally in the situation of child abuse. Often the position of non-offensive parent is passive. Many of them don’t believe or don’t want to believe their spouse or partner is child abuser. It is difficult to face that fact that a close family member is involved a sex offense. Often the non-offending adults prefer thinking and convincing themselves that the child is lying or simply misinterpreting an innocuous behavior. In some cases non-offensive adult show indulgence towards abusive behavior of the partner.
“Additionally, when the non-offending parent colludes with the offender or fails to accept the reality of the abusive situation, full cooperation with the range of involved professionals is unlikely, and there is a decreased likelihood that adequate supports and safeguards will exist within the home” (Cumming & McGrath, 2005; Giaretto et al., 1978; Gil & Roizner-Hayes, 1996).
Sometimes non-offensive parent needs the posttraumatic therapy as well as a victim child. Especially they need therapy in the case when parents want to save to get their families back together. James (2005) writes: “Mothers should be told this fact in plain and simple terms… Groups for spouses of abusers enable members to come to terms with doubts of their own womanhood, regain the state of control and empowerment in themselves and their families…”
Thus, the social worker should attempt to create the balance between the interest of child victim, non-offending parents and other family members.
The social work with families involved with child sexual abuse
Usually social worker has no to choice working with such families. As was stated above, to regain the family and to return it to the normal life it is necessary to reach the balance in the relations between all the family members. However, if I have a choice, I’d prefer working with the abused children. They aren’t easy clients; usually they have already learnt not to trust people around, family members and even themselves. It can be difficult to build the friendship with them. Crosson-Tower (2005) gives some practical recommendations in working with abused child. It is necessary to act calmly and friendly, trying not to imply blame or frighten the child. After the introduction the author recommends to tell the child something like “I’ve talked to many boys and girls who had this kind of problem”. She also warns there is no universal formula of perfect communication with the abused child. However, this part of work seems to be the most noble and attractive for me.
If I have a choice, I’d also avoid working with child abusers after treatment or other therapy. There are many case when former child abuser is fully exonerated and, which is more, he or she planning to return to the family. Probably with the further experience I will be able to change the attitude to child abusers and work with them effectively. However, at the beginning I’d like to avoid this kind of job.
Conclusion
The main task of human services professional working with the families involved with child sexual abuse is the balance achieving. It is obvious that abused child needs the therapy and care, but often the non-offensive parent needs the special treatment, too. Besides, the offensive parent sometimes has the possibility to return to the family. The creation of the balance in the family and the readiness to can when any concern appear is the job of human services worker.
References
Butler, S. (1985) Conspiracy of silence: the trauma of incest, (2nd ed. ) San Francisco: Volcano Press.
Crosson-Tower, C. (2005). Understanding child abuse and neglect. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Cumming, G. & McGrath, R. (2005). Supervision of the Sex Offender (2nd Ed.). Brandon, VT: Safer Society Press.
Giaretto, H., Giaretto, A., & Sgroi, S. (1978). Coordinated community treatment of incest. In A. Burgess, N. Groth, L. Holmstrom, & S. Sgroi (Eds.). Sexual Assault of Children and Adolescents. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
Gil, E. & Roizner-Hayes, M. (1996). Assessing family readiness for reunification. In E. Gil (Ed.), Systemic Treatment of Families who Abuse. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Kempe, C. H. (1978) ‘Sexual abuse: another hidden pediatric problem’, Pediatrics, 62:382-9.
Levenson, J. (2001) Treating non-offending parents in child sexual abuse cases. Barnes&Noble.
Summit, R. and Kryso, J. (1978) ‘Sexual abuse of children: a clinical spectrum’, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 48:237-51.