A study of the popular perceptions about sexual violence. The author examines issues such as: how rape is defined; who is seen as responsible for sexual assault; and how rape can be prevented. This text reviews empirical research on rape myths and attitudes, drawing on case studies, surveys, experiments and fieldwork. The research reveals biased and prejudicial attitudes at both institutional and individual levels towards rape victims. The volume concludes by suggesting strategies for changing attitudes, such as the use of social action research, designed to raise consciousness and improve services for victims of sexual assault.
The debate over the validity of memories related to childhood sexual abuse continues. However, whatever one's beliefs about the formation and recall of memories, there are some points upon which most people can agree: that there are children and adolescents who have been abused; that these children ought to receive treatment; and that such treatment should be provided in an effective and efficient manner. The contributors to this volume are dedicated to providing such treatment. The book describes treatment innovations for working with both child and adolescent survivors and perpetrators of sexual abuse. Among the topics explored are inpatient treatment of adolescent survivors and societal responses to sexually aggressive children. The accessibly written chapters offer concrete directions for intervention and will be invaluable for clinical work.
The appropriate and sensitive use of anatomical dolls is one of the topics explored in this comprehensive introduction to the process of interviewing child sexual abuse victims. Co-creator of the dolls, Marcia Morgan, takes readers through an interview from beginning to end. She provides guidelines on how to create an environment intended both to minimize a child's trauma and to enhance the amount, quality and validity of information obtained. She examines problems practitioners might encounter with young children and provides material on pre-interview preparation, training exercises and a listing of audio-visual resources.
When a child has been sexually abused, where should a parent turn for treatment? What impact does child sexual abuse have on family functioning? Child Sexual Abuse offers a wealth of information on available treatment programmes, the impact of sexual abuse on the family, and other factors associated with abuse and treatment outcomes.
Rape, Child Sexual Abuse, and Workplace Harassment
Diana Russell analyses and compares the prevalence and causes of three forms of sexual exploitation -- rape, child sexual abuse, and sexual harassment in the workplace. Although public awareness of sexual and non-sexual abuse of adults and children has grown steadily over the past few years, the three categories have been analysed and treated as separate issues. Diana Russell uses an original analytical framework to integrate extensive literature on these topics, revealing numerous links between issues that are often considered separate and distinct.
