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Group Treatment of Sexually Abused Latency-Age Girls

NCJ Number
155633
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 215-227
Author(s)
L Y Zaidi; V M Gutierrez-Kovner
Date Published
1995
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a pilot group developed to address the traumagenic stigmatization, powerlessness, betrayal, and sexualization that characterize victims of sexual abuse (Finkelhor and Browne).
Abstract
The pilot group initially comprised six 9-year-old girls who were victims of intrafamilial and extrafamilial sexual abuse. Four girls completed the 7-month treatment sequence. The group process was divided into modules that promote group cohesiveness, discussion of abuse experiences, new coping strategies, sexuality, prevention of future victimization, and termination. Finkelhor and Browne (1986) have proposed that the experience of sexual abuse can be understood in terms of the following traumagenic factors: betrayal, stigmatization, powerlessness, and traumatic sexualization. Co-therapists for the current group worked to create a nurturing, predictable, and safe environment in which each member was treated with dignity and respect. Activities developed to enhance group identity and cohesiveness were designed to eliminate feelings of mistrust. The direct and open approach used during the current group was designed to correct misconceptions, educate parents and group members about the need for effective communication, and provide information on socially and developmentally appropriate expressions of sexual feelings. The four girls who completed the 7-month group treatment sequence expressed positive feelings about the experience. Anecdotal information obtained from parents, individual therapists, teachers, and the group participants themselves suggested that the group therapy modality facilitated exploration of issues that were more difficult to address on an individual basis. 29 references