What Can Social Workers Do to Help Safeguard Children from Child Sexual Abuse and Is Inter-Agency Collaboration Effective?

What Can Social Workers Do to Help Safeguard Children from Child Sexual Abuse and Is Inter-Agency Collaboration Effective?

Becker-Blease, K., Friend, D. & Freyd, J.J. (2006) ‘Child Sex Abuse Perpetrators Among Male University Students’, Scholars’ Bank [online], http://hdl.handle.net/1794/4318, Date accessed 15/10/2021.

Becker-Blease, Friend & Freyd (2006) look at the prevalence of child sex abuse and those with the potential for being such offenders, via a sample of 531 undergraduate men. In the study, the sample were asked about their experience of abuse as a child, along with any offences committed, and their sexual fantasies. It was found that 18% of the sample reported fantasies about child sex abuse, with 8% having masturbated to these fantasies. Moreover, 4% of the sample indicated that there was some likelihood that they would have sex with a child, while 2.5% reported having committed a sexual related offence against a child, at least once. Thus, it was found that more of the sample admitted to fantasies about child sex than in the past, and it is mused that this may be due to the wider availability of child pornography on the Internet.

Beitchman, J.H., Zucker, K.J., Hood, J.E., DaCosta, G.A., Akman, D. & Cassavia, E. (1992) ‘A review of the long-term effects of child sexual abuse’, Child Abuse & Neglect, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 101-118.

This study done by Beitchman, Zucker, Hood, DaCosta, Akman & Cassavia (1992, p. 101-118) looks at the long-term effects of CSA by looking at some 32 studies on this subject, with a cumulative sample of some 10,859 participants, and a prevalence rate of 29% (although it should be noted that this is high due to many studies targeting those who have been sexually abused as children, or those groups who have a higher prevalence rate – such as those incarcerated for CSA themselves). It was found that adults who have been abused as children have a higher rate of mental and physical dysfunction; and particularly with regards to sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, fearful thoughts, or suicidal ideas – while a greater propensity towards homosexuality was also noted.

Briere, J. & Runtz, M. (1987) ‘Post Sexual Abuse Trauma Data and Implications for Clinical Practice’, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 367-379.

This paper by Briere & Runtz (1987, pp. pp. 367-379) examines post sexual abuse trauma and implications for clinical practice, and in a clinical sample of 152 adult women at a health crisis centre, it was found that 44% reported a childhood history of sexual victimisation. Moreover, it is also found that such victimisation is associated with increased levels of dissociation, sleep disturbances, heightened tension, sexual problems, and anger – in addition to a greater use of psychoactive medications, a predisposition towards suicide attempts, substance addiction, and repeated victimisation.

Briere, J. & Runtz, M. (1990) ‘Differential adult symptomatology associated with three types of child abuse histories’, Child Abuse & Neglect, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 357-364.

This study done by Briere & Runtz (1990, pp. 357-364) looks at university women’s retrospective reports of CSA, and how this impacted upon self-esteem, aggression levels, and sexual behaviour. In a sample of some 277 female students in the United States, it was found that psychological child sex abuse is associated with low self-esteem, while physical child sex abuse is linked to aggression and maladaptive sexual behaviour; and it is concluded that: “various types of child abuse have both specific and overlapping effects on later psychosocial functioning” (Briere & Runtz, 1990, p. 361).

Chase, E. & Statham, J. (2005) ‘Commercial and sexual exploitation of children and young people in the UK—a review’, Child Abuse Review, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 4-25.

This article examines the commercial and sexual exploitation of children in the United Kingdom, by reviewing recent information and data relevant to this. The focus for the discourse by Chase & Statham (2005) is on: (1) abuse via pornography, (2) abuse via prostitution, and (3) the trafficking of children and young people. It is noted how abusers typically target vulnerable children and young people, and the Internet is cited as a tool that can be used for such nefarious crimes. It is concluded that knowledge is limited in this area, and so much more needs to be done.

Davies, E.A. & Jones, A.C. (2013) ‘Risk factors in child sexual abuse’, Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 146-150.

This study looks at some risk