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Rape of the Innocent

NCJ Number
157024
Author(s)
J Whetsell-Mitchell
Date Published
1995
Length
388 pages
Annotation
This book is targeted toward parents, educators, mental health professionals, clergy, and others who work with children and need to have an understanding of what constitutes child sexual abuse.
Abstract
The first chapter defines child sexual abuse, describes sexually abusive behaviors and characteristics of sexually abusive situations, and reviews the research literature. The second chapter discusses indicators of child sexual abuse and presents profiles of children at risk of being abused. Profiles are presented for pedophiles, male and female extrafamilial abusers, intrafamilial abusers including siblings and grandparents, adolescent child molesters, and sexually reactive children. The book also covers stages of victimization and ritualistic abuse. The next section of the book discusses the role of parents as protectors of their children and creators of a safe home environment, stages of child development, and issues and components of prevention programs for children of various ages. The final chapter explore the specific issues of child sexual abuse as it relates to pornography, minority children, and children with special needs.