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Resilience and risk factors associated with experiencing childhood sexual abuse
Author(s) -
Wilcox Daniel T.,
Richards Fiona,
O'Keeffe Zerine C.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
child abuse review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1099-0852
pISSN - 0952-9136
DOI - 10.1002/car.862
Subject(s) - sexual abuse , psychology , psychological resilience , population , child sexual abuse , child abuse , developmental psychology , human factors and ergonomics , psychiatry , poison control , medicine , social psychology , medical emergency , environmental health
The effects of child sexual abuse are wide‐ranging and impact on children, families and health/social care systems. The authors review this literature, examining the shortcomings of the ‘victim–offender’ model, and consider the complex, multifactorial nature of this question. Factors associated with a progression from victim to perpetrator are explored and the prevalence of abuse in the general population is also discussed. Protective as well as risk factors are considered and the pivotal role of ‘personal reliance’ is considered as it relates to empowering damaged young people to become healthy adults. The authors also discuss implications for the treatment of young people who become abusers. Two case examples are briey reported upon and the article concludes with a consideration of ways to helpfully address the needs of children who become sexual perpetrators. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.