Lesson 6: Sexual Abuse

Attention

sexual abuse

Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another.

When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or (often pejoratively) molester.

The term also covers any behavior by any adult towards a child to stimulate either the adult or child sexually. When the victim is younger than the age of consent, it is referred to as child sexual abuse. (Wikipedia)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Formulate a theory as to why alcoholism, substance abuse, eating disorders, and suicide are linked to a history of sexual abuse
  • Review the signs of an adult survivor of sexual abuse and relate these signs to individuals you may encounter in your work
  • Discuss the specific challenges you may find in working with individuals who have been sexual abused

Teaching

What is sexual abuse? Although it might seem obvious it is not always so and many individuals (the sexual abusers) may not even percieve that their behavior is wrong.

Consider this list:

  • unwanted touching or kissing
  • being pressured or forced to do sexual things
  • being pressured or forced to do sexual things to someone else's body
  • being photographed without some of your clothes on
  • being shown images or videos of a sexual nature on a mobile phone, TV, computer, or magazine
  • being pressured into sexual activities over the net
  • being sent obscene emails, voice or text messages

Link for Age of Consent in Maine

Here is a link to the Maine Statute that defines Sexual Abuse.

Sexual abuse can occur to an person no matter what the individual's age is.  It could be a child abused by mother's boyfriend. It could be the college student at a party abused by a peer. It could be the woman on a run abused in the woods.  It could be the nursing home resident abused by a staff member.

The prevalence of sexual abuse is difficult to determine because it is often not reported.  Researchers and experts agree that the incidence is far greater than what is reported to law enforcement and child protective authorities.  Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assault (including assaults on adults) occur against children ages 17 and under (Snyder, 2000).

The point is that none of these are OK, but the victim needs to speak out.  Why do you think victims do not speak out? Do you think that sometimes individuals don't speak out because they will be viewed as "over-sensitive"?  Here is a link to information about why some victims of sexual assault to not speak out: http://www.umd.edu/ocrsm/files/Why-Is-Sexual-Assault-Under-Reported.pdf

Who are perpetrators of child sexual abuse? (From the website victimsofcrimes.org)

Offenders are overwhelmingly male, ranging from adolescents to the elderly. Though some perpetrators are female. It is estimated that women are the abusers in about 14% of cases reported among boys and 6% of cases reported among girls. Approximately one-third of offenders are themselves juveniles. Twenty-three percent (23%) of reported cases of child sexual abuse are perpetrated by individuals under the age of 18. Only 14% of children who suffered sexual abuse were violated by an unknown perpetrator. This type of data continues to challenge the notion (myth) that the majority of child sexual abuse victims were abused by strangers (82% knew their abuser). Sixty percent (60%) of children are sexually abused by someone in their social circle. Hence, the phrase “Stranger Danger” is misleading. Meta-analysis estimates that 14% of sexual offenders commit another sexual offense after five years, 24% after fifteen years. 40-80% of juvenile sex offenders have themselves been victims of sexual abuse. (https://www.victimsofcrime.org/media/reporting-on-child-sexual-abuse/statistics-on-perpetrators-of-csa)

Treatment for Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse

Thinking and talking about child sexual abuse can make many of us say this is very unpleasant to think about and talk about.  This is also an opportunity to develop some empathy for the perpetrators.  They are also individuals in need of treatment.  Many of them have their own abuse and trauma histories.  How would you feel if your agency assigned you a new client and his chart indicates he has a history of abusing children? Would you able to keep your personal biases in check and provide him the same level of professionalism, respect and service that you provide to all of your other clients?

The research on effective treatments for individuals who commit sexual violence has indicated mixed results. There is a treatment methodology called Risk, Need, and Responsivity (RNR) treatment (created by Andrews, Bonta and Hoge, 1990).  This model assesses an individual's risks, his needs and his responsivity to treatment.  This model is most effective when the treatment intensity is tailored to match the offenders risk level, focus on unmet needs that may trigger criminal behaviors and match the presentation style to the client's learning style. (Andrews, Bonta, & Wormith, 2011).   Another treatment model is called the Good Lives Model (created by Ward, 2002).  This model proposes that by learning healthy and adaptive ways to achieve optimal physical, mental and sexual health, knowledge, mastery of work and play, autonomy, inner peace, relatedness, creativity, spirituality, and happiness then the need to pursue antisocial outlets (behaviors) will diminish.  

Treatment for Victims: Grounding Techniques

Grounding is a technique that helps keep someone in the present. These techniques help reorient a person to the here-and-now and in reality when they may be experiencing anxiety or stress in a situation. Grounding skills can be helpful in managing overhelming feelings or intense anxiety. They help someone to regain mental focus from an often intensely emotional state.

Although this article is a bit dated, it speaks very well of the complexity of the instances of sexual abuse across the lifespan. Review this article and complete the Class Activities listed below.

Click here to view the article about sexual abuse

Assessment

Lesson 6 Quiz

Answer the following questions in the appropriate quiz:

  1. Briefly define what signs and symptoms you may look for that may indicate one of your clients ha sa history of sexual abuse.
  2. How would you feel if your agency assigned you a new client and his chart indicates he has a history of abusing children? Would you able to keep your personal biases in check and provide him the same level of professionalism, respect and service that you provide to all of your other clients?

Lesson 6 Discussion (for online course only)

"Grounding Techniques" are behaviors that people can engage in when they are feeling anxious.

Click HERE to review a document about these techniques.

Discuss the specific challenges you may find in working with individuals who have been sexual abused.  Do you have a "weak spot" or a "button" than can be pressed? How do YOU use these "grounding techniques" when you are feeling anxious and how might you use some of these with your clients?