Part of a comprehensive psychoeducational program for nonoffending parents and partners of sex offenders, this book helps therapists determine if and when children can live safely in homes with known sexual offenders and presents a model for treating the nonoffending members of families who plan reunification. While the authors do not advocate reunification, the book describes a unification plan that keeps family safety through relapse prevention as the first priority. Treating Nonoffending Parents in Child Sexual Abuse Cases begins by bringing the therapist into the confused, anxious, and sometimes shattered world of the nonoffending parent. Guidelines are then offered for conducting a comprehensive family assessment to determine if a family is a realistic candidate for reunification. A structured, group treatment program for the nonoffending parents/partners follows, including treatment module covering such issues as denial, the effects of sexual abuse on children and families, understanding sex offenders and sex offender treatment, and creating realistic family safety plans. Therapists are instructed in conducting follow up couples sessions to engage the nonoffending partner in challenging the offender to prove he is ready to live safely with children. In family sessions with the children, sexual abuse prevention, clarification, and family safety planning are addressed. The book concludes with valuable information on report writing and making responsible recommendations following treatment. Treating Nonoffending Parents in Child Sexual Abuse Cases comes with a copy of the Connections Workbook, the companion manual for the nonoffending parent/partner. The authors, who specialize in treating sex offenders, originally developed and field tested this book with the partners of their own clients. Since 1997, and earlier version of the program has been in use throughout North America. Therapists, probation officers, and CPS workers who work with families that are recovering from incest for have any kind of sex offender as one of their parents will find Treating Nonoffending Parents in Child Sexual Abuse Cases and its accompanying workbook an useful tool in helping a particularly complex and vulnerable client.

This sensitively written, easy-to-use workbook is a vital component of the Connections psychoeducational program for the nonoffending parents of sexual abuse victims and partners of sex offenders. Taking clients through a step-by-step process toward family healing and possible reunification, this book covers such issues as denial among family members, signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, understanding sex offenders, child protection, developing family safety plans, and the clarification process between the offenders and victims.

Featuring many useful checklists, illustrative diagrams, and spaces to record thoughts and feelings as the client works through the process, the Connections Workbook coordinates with its companion book Treating Nonoffending Parents in Child Sexual Abuse Cases.

Each day, case managers, psychiatric nurses, and other mental health professionals interact with adults who have a history of physical and/or sexual abuse during childhood. Many of these important professionals will often be the first practitioners to hear about a client?s background of abuse, but they may not have specialized training in understanding and working with survivors of childhood trauma. The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Mental Illness gives mental health professionals who are not child abuse specialists knowledge and skills that are especially relevant to their direct service role and practice context. It introduces to these practitioners a conceptual bridge between biomedical and psychosocial understandings of mental disorder, providing a multidimensional approach that allows professionals to think holistically and connect clients? abusive pasts with their present-day symptoms and behaviors. Building upon this conceptual foundation, the book then focuses on direct practice issues, including how to ask clients about child abuse, the nature of power in the helping relationship, the full recovery process, effective treatment models, client safety issues, and ways to listen to client?s stories. Also included are valuable insights into helping clients who are in a crisis situation, the particular needs of male victims of child abuse, racial and cultural considerations, and the professional?s self-care. Designed to meet the needs of such helping professionals as case managers, psychiatric nurses, rehabilitation counselors, crisis and housing workers, occupational and physical therapists, family physicians, and social workers, The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Mental Illness is an accessible and convenient guide to understanding the effects of childhood abuse and incorporating that understanding into direct practice.

This book builds upon a foundation of research literature on incest victims and their families as well as the author?s own clinical experience to provide a conceptual framework for intervention and treatment of the non-offending mother. Amply illustrated with case examples, the author, Virginia C. Strand, outlines a treatment model and gives suggestions for specific treatment strategies. Particular emphasis is paid to the context of the mother?s situation, and how such factors as social class, ethnicity, age, and education must be taken into consideration when treating these clients. In addition, Strand provides helpful guidance to the therapist whose client must deal with the multiplicity of systems that are involved with intervention, investigation, and prosecution of child abuse cases. This book is a much needed guide for therapists, case workers, and other service providers who work with both the children who are incest victims, as well as their families.

This book presents an innovative approach to navigating the painful confusions and dilemmas experienced by families in which incest has occurred. The authors show that while not all incestuously abused children experience the classic diagnostic symptoms of trauma, virtually all do experience "relational trauma" disruptions in the sense of safety, security, loyalty, and trust that may block connection and open communication with nonoffending family members. Integrating social constructionist, feminist, and systems thinking, the treatment model focuses on strengthening the child's protective relationships, mobilizing the family to help resolve the child's emotional and behavioral symptoms, and building the family's resiliency. Through rich, annotated cases, the book illustrates how to engage family members as full collaborators in treatment, thereby restoring their sense of control. The therapist is guided in conducting individual and conjoint sessions not only with nonoffending family members, but also with the offending family member. Key clinical challenges and decision points are highlighted, and ways to resolve them effectively are described. Included are detailed recommendations on when, how, and why to involve the offending member in sessions with the child.

?The authors clearly document the nee for special techniques when interviewing about sensitive sexual issues, and their defense of Russell?s prevalence rates is convincing. Readers will gain an understanding of the impact of research methods on results and the interplay of political agendas and research interests. Extensive references as well as clear tables and figures. Highly recommended for academic collections.? ?Choice ?This is a fascinating book which will have wide appeal to academicians and scholars in the field. Dr. Russell?s outstanding reputation in the field should sell any book and this book is another example of her excellent work. . . . I offer my highest praises for this book and believe it will become an instant ?classic?.? ?Helen M. Eigenberg, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the School of Social and Community Services This long-awaited follow-up to Diana Russell''s landmark 1984 book Sexual Exploitation examines the many ? and often conflicting ? findings of studies that have since been conducted on the incidence and prevalence of rape and child sexual abuse in the United States. The wide variation in prevalence rates obtained by these studies ? for example, rape rates ranging from 2.6% to 44% ? has led many hostile critics to attack the high rates as misleading and alarmist. Diana E. H. Russell and Rebecca M. Bolen''s careful evaluation of 14 government- and privately-funded studies (including Russell''s own) provides a definitive statement on the realities concerning the prevalence of rape and child sexual abuse. Their evaluations consider the various definitions researchers have used for rape and child sexual assault, as well as their methodologies for collecting data. The authors also address in particular the sexual victimization statistics reported by two important U.S. government agencies, the FBI and the Bureau of Justice Statistics, both of which have reported relatively low incidence rates. This book also addresses the widely-publicized backlash criticism ? from both anti-feminists and a new breed of feminist critics ? claiming that high sexual assault rates are greatly exaggerated. Armed with the belief that accurate information about the magnitude of sexual assault in society is vital to the theory, prevention, and treatment of these crimes, the authors have produced a ground-breaking resource that is a must-read book for those who study, educate about, and help the women and girls who are victims of sexual assault.

"This is a well written and nicely organized book that can be both a helpful handbook for clinicians just starting to do group treatment for young victims of sexual abuse as well as a terrific resource for useful group treatment activities for the more experienced clinicians. It addresses important issues in the treatment of sexual abuse and offers suggestions and hints when using different activities, as well as discusses potential problems for each activity. The book is full of examples taken from actual groups and includes materials to use for both support and therapy groups for boys and girls, ages four to eighteen. As someone who has provided group treatment for many years, I found this to be a comprehensive book that successfully incorporates treatment issues for both children and their parents with great new and practical ideas for group treatment."

--Kerry J. Todd, MSW Children?s Response Center, Bellevue, Washington

Group work is particularly effective with child sexual assault victims because it breaks down their feelings of isolation, builds social skills, teaches appropriate boundary settings, and helps them realize they are normal. This easy-to-follow manual presents techniques for working with groups of children who have been sexually abused. It begins with an overview of the theory and literature of group therapy with children and then offers seven sections of psychosocial skill-building techniques: trust-building, self esteem, identifying and expressing feelings, healing the inner child, relationships, boundary setting, and prevention skills. It concludes with sample outlines for conducting 10-week groups and a bibliography of information on sexual assault. It is directed to mental health professionals who work with sexually abused children, school counselors and psychologists, workers in group homes, and advanced students in the mental health fields. It will also be helpful to early childhood educators and therapists working with any children, since many of the techniques can be utilized with children of divorce or in bereavement and general self esteem groups.

"Everyone knows that child abuse is morally wrong. David A. Wolfe goes beyond this to explore how and why it affects the development of children. This is the story professionals need to know to plan their helping strategy." ?James Garbarino, Ph.D.Co-Director, Family Life Development Center, Cornell University

Child Abuse, Second Edition is devoted to a topic of major social and clinical significance. In this book, the author describes the different types of abuse and discusses the influence they have on development, including the emotional, cognitive, academic, and social consequences in childhood and adolescents. The book uses theory and research to convey the importance of multiple contextual influences that affect abuse and can be used to ameliorate it.

This text provides a knowledge base in relation to child sexual abusers which is focused on practice - assessment, treatment and evaluation - but rooted in psychological theory. It simplifies and outlines an approach to this group of offenders, particularly so given that the author has developed and managed a sex offender project in South East London which is now one of the largest, longest running, and most thoroughly evaluated in the country. Although some of the academic focus is on British factors, the book aims to appeal to an international audience in terms of the step-by-step detail relating to the process of assessment and treatment, and a chapter has been devoted to the primary challenge of denial in child sexual abusers.

In the growing professional literature on child sexual abuse, few books focus specifically on the experience of victimized boys and men. Interweaving vital elements of psychodynamic and trauma-oriented clinical practice, this much-needed volume examines how sexual betrayal affects boys, the ways they carry this hurt into adulthood, and how therapists can address the unique needs of men with sexual abuse histories. Exploring the impact of abuse on men's emotional development, gender and sexual identity, and relationships, the book provides in-depth consideration of individual and group treatment issues. Numerous case examples draw readers into the direct experience of these clients and the clinicians who work with them and illuminate their continually shifting relational world.

Childhood Sexual Abuse critically reviews research into and provides a concise and clear guide to our current knowledge on the topic. The issues covered include: the prevalence of child sexual abuse; who molests children; the effects of such abuse, both immediate and long-term; the risk factors for abuse; and the influences and interventions that may amplify or ameliorate the impact of child sexual abuse on the victim. Areas of debate, such as the false memory syndrome, are approached in terms of the research data relevant to their resolution. This volume sets out to inform rather than advocate, discusses the methodologies of research as well as their results, highlights the limitations and the extent of current information, and points out how we can learn more about child sexual abuse. 

Although child neglect is the most common form of abuse, the extant research literature has mostly ignored this form of child maltreatment. Now editor Howard Dubowitz and an outstanding group of leaders in the field of child abuse and neglect offer perspectives on a range of important issues pertaining to the neglect of children. Neglected Children is the first book to focus on this most common type of child maltreatment, presenting a comprehensive and critical portrait of the phenomenon of neglect, based on theory, research, and clinical practice experience. This extensive work includes the following topics:

-Causes and contributors

-Definitions and measurement research

-Cultural issues

-Short and long-term outcomes

-Evaluation and risk assessment

-Prevention and intervention

-Prenatal substance abuse

-Fatal neglect

-Policy issues

Neglected Children conveniently captures much of what is known about child neglect and offers recommendations for future research. Researchers, clinicians, students, and policy makers in the fields of social work, child maltreatment, interpersonal violence, family studies, psychology, sociology, and public health will find this broad view of the subject essential to addressing the complex and pervasive underpinnings of child neglect.

Written to give the front line practitioner help in assessing and managing allegations of sexual abuse cases with children from the ages of 18 months to six years old, Small Voices provides concrete and easily understood information about basic child development, interview procedures, and case management theory. Case examples throughout this book combine a hands-on approach with child development theory and research. Extensive experience is integrated with research findings in a detailed and practical manner to provide:

• An overview of child development information as it applies to interviewing young children
• A protocol for assessment of preverbal children that is grounded in theory and research
• A format for assessment of children from three to five years old
• A review of the strengths and weaknesses of some current interview formats
• A technique for structured interviewing that surveys a range of touching
• A procedure for structured reunification of a child and alleged abuser after unproven allegations

How can therapists deal effectively with children or adolescents who have been sexually abused but refuse to discuss their experiences? Working with children and adolescents who have been sexually abused presents innumerable challenges for the therapist. Not least among them is the reluctance of some children or adolescents to discuss the abuse. In Techniques and Issues in Abuse-Focused Therapy, author Sandra Wieland describes The Internalization Model, which provides a framework to assist the therapist in understanding the effects of sexual abuse on the child or adolescentÆs internal sense of self and world even when a child or adolescent will not talk about their sexual abuse. Methods of addressing and shifting these abuse-related internalizations within the therapy are described along with techniques such as imaging, genograms, and time-lines. Sexuality, a topic that has been overlooked in the extant research literature on sexually abused children and adolescents, is also explored. This book provides practitioners with ideas for responding to a child or adolescent who becomes sexual within a session and for helping the victim reconnect to his or her own healthy sexuality. Dissociation, ranging from occasional ôoff-in-a-dazeö to dissociated identities, is explored along with extensive therapeutic intervention options. Resistance by the child, by the parent, and by the therapist is also identified and discussed. The techniques and issues in this book are described clearly and succinctly. Case examples are used throughout the book to help therapists incorporate concepts in their own practice. In a final chapter, adolescents discuss their own experiences with therapy. Although Techniques and Issues in Abuse-Focused Therapy centers on children and adolescents, it remains relevant for therapists working with adults who experienced abuse children. This book provides new ideas for advanced practitioners as well as beginning therapists.

Evidence is mounting that animal abuse, frequently embedded in families scarred by domestic violence and child abuse and neglect, often predicts the potential for other violent acts. As early intervention is critical in the prevention and reduction of aggression, this boo encourages researchers and professionals to recognize animal abuse as significant problem and a human public-health issue that should be included as a curriculum topic in training. The book is an interdisciplinary sourcebook of original essays that examines the relations between animal maltreatment and human interpersonal violence, expands the scope of research in this growing area, and provides practical assessment and documentation strategies to help professionals confronting violence do their jobs better by attending to these connections. This book brings together, for the first time, all of the leaders in this emerging field. They examine contemporary research and programmatic issues, encourage cross-disciplinary interactions, and describe innovative programs in the field today. The book also includes vivid first-person accounts from "survivors" whose experiences included animal maltreatment among other forms of family violence.

Designed for use along with Treatment Strategies for Abused Adolescents therapist manual, this activity manual is accessibly directed toward the adolescent in a therapeutic setting healing from early physical, sexual, or emotional trauma. Addressing the critical need for materials designed for this age group, Cheryl L. Karp, Traci L. Butler, and Sage C. Bergstrom present a four-stage approach to recovery that includes building a therapeutic relationship, incorporating corrective and reparative experiences during the abuse-focused portion of treatment, repairing the sense of self, and becoming more "future oriented." The trauma resolution activities in this book are interesting, well-planned out, and developmentally structured. Each chapter begins with an introduction skillfully and sensitively addressed to the adolescent. Together with the therapist manual, this activity manual is a welcome and timely package for therapists who often find frustration and dead-ends when searching for publications that are age-appropriate for this group of young people.

Helping teens to work through trauma resolution and emerge as healthy survivors can prove frustrating for therapists who find there is so little material or references available for this age group. By adolescence, boys and girls have already identified themselves with the role of victim and skilled support is required if they are to move beyond their perceived helplessness to achieve a real sense of empowerment and control of their lives. As an outgrowth of their own professional struggles with this issue, Cheryl L. Karp, Traci L. Butler, and Sage C. Bergstrom have compiled Treatment Strategies for Abused Adolescents and the accompanying activity manual, which together provide a practical and accessible package of theory and hands-on activities, specifically designed for use by practitioners in either individual or group settings. Case studies are included in each chapter of the treatment manual to demonstrate just how some of the activities have been used in actual therapeutic situations and the authors highlight their four-phase approach to recovery that covers building the therapeutic relationship, processing the abuse, repairing the sense of self, and becoming more "future oriented." Providing the major tools needed to successfully work with this age group as they journey toward healing, Treatment Strategies for Abused Adolescents and its companion activity manual are truly a must-have package for mental health practitioners as well as advanced students and interns who work with physically, sexually, and emotionally abused teenagers.

Experts in both child physical and sexual abuse are brought together in this volume, which focuses on both child and adult survivors. Contributors explore innovative treatment and prevention approaches, such as school and community violence prevention programmes, and preparation of children who have to testify in court.

Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome (MBPS), a form of child abuse in which a caretaker--usually a mother--fabricates and/or induces illness in a child, is one of the least understood forms of child abuse and mental illness. Examining the current knowledge about the manifestations and consequences of this perplexing behavior, Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome assists all professionals working with chronically ill children in identifying and intervening with this bizarre and often deadly form of abuse. Drawing from their firsthand experience with the complexities of such cases, the editors and contributors address critical issues of not only identification and assessment but also longterm psychotherapy. Therapy with the mother/perpetrator has traditionally been markedly unsuccessful, but this book provides a much-needed framework for the successful treatment of acknowledged perpetrators. Emphasizing the important role of efficient multidisciplinary cooperation in handling MBPS cases, Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome also features perspectives from experts in the fields of medicine, child protection, education, social work, hospital administration, and law. Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome demystifies the mother/perpetrator's deception and gives professionals the knowledge to save children from induced life-threatening illnesses and consequent medical procedures. Professionals, academics, researchers, and students in a variety of fields, including clinical/counseling psychology, social work, nursing/health sciences, criminal justice, and law, will need the information presented in this book to help stop this form of abuse.

Featuring cutting-edge information from the international arena, Out of the Darkness pulls together into one seminal volume the work of emerging scholars and key figures in the field. Edited by Glenda Kaufman Kantor and Jana Jasinski, this book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary package of the newest generation of investigation and theory. Professionals and researchers in child welfare, mental health, and criminal justice fields will want to read this book to keep up with the latest controversial topics; international studies; theory, methods, assessment, and interventions; and ethical and cultural issues related to both child and partner abuse. Chapters address pressing questions such as: Is wife abuse declining? Are child homicides increasing? Does couple treatment work in violent marriages? From this volume several noteworthy findings emerge, including the wide variations in the forms, types, and consequences of abuse; the need for support and change in both victim and batterer behaviors; the overdue move toward expertise and sensitivity when dealing with affected populations; and much more. Out of the Darkness makes a contribution to the field on a par with other classics. It is a must read for advanced students, researchers, practitioners, activists, and policymakers concerned with any or all aspects of family violence.

Reducing the odds of further victimization by a convicted child molester requires a clear understanding of the offender's process and his or her ability to manipulate victims. With more than 25 years of experience in the field working with every type of child molester, Eric Leberg provides the information vital to recognizing the offender's patterns of deception and - just as important - how to respond with appropriate interventions or preventive measures. A basic yet comprehensive overview that is easy to read, Understanding Child Molesters uses cases and anecdotes to highlight and reinforce important issues and concepts. A valuable resource for those who deal with offenders regularly - including nonoffending parents, other family members, employers and professionals and students who will work in the field - this book covers:

· information on the sex offender evaluation report, pre-sentence investigation report, and criminal history records

· legal and ethical means of obtaining information on the offender

· how the criminal justice system works and how it affects offenders

· suggestions on how to utilize the criminal justice system as a resource in preventing revictimization and/or reestablishing new relationships with convicted sex offenders.

Understanding Child Molesters will answer many of the general public?s pressing questions about the sex offenders that can threaten their children?s well-being. Professionals, practitioners, and students new to the field of child abuse - a multidisciplinary mix including those from mental health, corrections, law and law enforcement - will also find the book an invaluable introduction to current issues surrounding sex offenders and victimization. 

With increased media attention, issues of family violence have been steadily moving out of the shadows and into the arenas of research, prevention, intervention, and public awareness. However, sibling abuseùlargely unrecognized and unaddressedùremains behind the closed doors of "family privacy." Often excused by parents as "kids will be kids" behavior, the symptoms of this form of abuse go undetected and its devastating effects on the victim are ignored. Sibling Abuse, Second Edition provides insight into this form of abuse and carefully describes the range of abusive behaviors perpetrated among siblings. Along with personal accounts by adult survivors, this completely updated book describes appropriate steps for parents to take in order to evaluate and respond to their childrenÆs abusive interactions. A new chapter on current techniques of assessment and treatment also helps therapists or counselors work to end this problem. Lively yet reinforced by the latest research, Sibling Abuse, Second Edition offers comprehensive coverage of a subject not reflected much in the literatureùyet. Written for human services professionals, WieheÆs book will also make an excellent supplement for advanced students in social work, sociology, psychology, nursing, education, and family studies. Parents may also want to inform themselves by reading this book.

Personal and professional biases can sometimes interfere with objective judgment, particularly in the case of child maltreatment, which often evokes powerful reactions and extreme emotions upon its discovery. Authors Helene Jackson and Ronald Nuttall identify how gender, age, discipline, individual core belief systems, and case factors can affect a personAEs perception of sexual abuse allegations, thus possibly compromising the accuracy of an investigationAEs findings. An innovative resource, Childhood Abuse alerts professionals to the existence of this bias and works toward improving efforts to recognize the victims of sexual abuse. While examining the impact of working with victims of both physical and sexual abuse on the lives of mental health professionals, this book encourages professionals to heighten their self-awareness as a part of their training. The authors present a survey designed to bring the reader "into focus" with regard to his or her own potential for bias. In addition, recommendations for more objective and effective practice, training and education, and future research make this book an important resource. Childhood Abuse is a timely volume for all health care professionals and practitioners who work with child abuse. This book will be especially valuable as a supplement in training students and interns for careers in mental health and health care fields.

This revealing investigation shows the devastating impact of contemporary cultural trends on children. "Important. . . .Valuable. . . . Weissbourd forcefully contests our disturbing inclination to localize the problems of children among the poor, notably African-Americans and inner-city residents. . . . (He) displays a rare sensitivity to the innumerable large and small problems that may set a child's downward spiral in motion".--"The New Republic".

Drawing on original research, this book provides a major critique of contemporary child protection research, policy and practice. In particular, it challenges current attempts to reorder priorities and reconstruct the balance between family support and child protection. In the process, it provides a unique insight into the nature of child protection work and the way practitioners respond to the inherent tensions and difficulties involved. It is essential reading for anyone interested in this major personal and social issue.