SEXUAL ABUSE AND MINORS

Counseling Children and Youth, ©Paul Conway, Associate Professor, 2009

Based on the Grant Martin’s Work, Critical Problems in Children and Youth.

Symptoms of Sexual Abuse

A. Behavioral Indicators
1. Indirect hints or open statements about abuse
2. Difficulty in peer relationships, i.e., violence against younger children
3. Withdrawn, less verbal, depressed, or apathetic
4. Abrupt and drastic personality changes
5. Self-mutilation
6. Preoccupation with death, guilt, heaven or hell
7. Retreat to fantasy world, dissociative reactions – loss of memory, imaginary
playmates, child uses more than one name
8. Unexplained acquisition of toys, money, or clothes
9. Fear, clinging to parent, requires reassurance
10. Unwillingness to participate in physical / recreational activities
11. Refusal to undress for P.E. class at school
12. Sudden increase in modesty
13. Fear of bathrooms and showers
14. Self-conscious about use of bathroom, severe reaction if intruded upon
15. Anger, acting out, disobedience
16. Refusal to be let with potential offender or caretaker
17. Becoming uncomfortable around formerly trusted person[s]
18. Lack of trust
19. Active hostility and anger toward formerly trusted person
20. Runaway behavior
21. Refusal to go home or stated desire to live elsewhere
22. Extreme fear or repulsion when touched by an adult of wither sex
23. Touching to either extreme
24. Inappropriate dress, use of clothing to reverse roles – child looks like sophisticated
adult, mother like teenager
25. Onset of poor personal hygiene, attempts to make self appear unattractive
26. Sophisticated sexual knowledge
27. Precocious, provocative sexual behavior
28. Seductive, indiscriminate display of affection
29. Pseudo-maturity, acts like small parent
30. Regression to earlier, infant behavior – bed wetting, thumb sucking
31. Sleep disturbances, nightmares
32. Sleep habits change, stays up late, or seems constantly tired
33. Continual, unexplained fear, anxiety, or panic
34. Inability to concentrate in school, hyperactive
35. Sudden drop in school performance
 36. Overly compliant or almost compulsive in action
37. Arriving early at school and leaving late with few, if any, absences
38. Excessive masturbation
39. Combination of violence and sexuality in artwork, written schoolwork, language and
play
40. Hysterical seizures
41. Attempts to establish boundaries, such as wearing clothing to bed
42. Total denial of problem with total lack of expression or feeling
A. Physical and Medical Indicators
1. Passive during pelvic examination. A non-abused child is more agitated during first
pelvic; a raped child will yell and scream, while a repeatedly abused child will quietly
spread legs
2. Bruises and hickeys or both in the face or neck area or around the groin, buttocks and
inner thighs
3. Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
4. Bleeding from external genitalia, vagina, or anal regions
5. Swollen or red cervix, vulva, or perineum
6. Positive tests for gonococcus or spermatozoa
7. Pain or itching in genital areas
8. Difficulty in walking or sitting
9. Venereal disease or gonorrhea infections
10. Pregnancy
11. Unusual and / or offensive body orders
12. Abrasions and erythema of the vulva area, laceration of posterior fourchette
13. Amall perihymenal scars and scarring of posterior fouchette
14. Abrasions and laceration of hymen with tearing between three o’clock and nine
o’clock
15. Scarred and thickened transected hymen and rounded redundant hymenal remnants
with adhesions sometimes binding hymen laterally and distorting the opening
16. Complete or partial loss of sphincter control
17. Fan-shaped scarring extending out from anus in six o’clock position
18. Pain on urination
19. Penile swelling and penile discharge
20. Vaginal discharge and urethral or lymph gland inflammation
B. Familial Indicators
1. Sibling Behavior
a. A brother or sister behave like a girlfriend and boyfriend
b. Child fears being left alone with sibling
c. Children appear embarrassed when found alone together
d. Child is teased or antagonized by sibling but does not retaliate
e. Siblings report another child is favored by parent
2. Parent Behavior
a. Stepfather present in home
 b. Parent, particularly the natural mother, absent from home by death, divorce,
long-term work, or military
c. Emotionally distant or sexually punitive mother
d. Mother does not have high school education
e. Little or no appropriate physical affection from father
f. Strained marital relationship
g. Dysfunctional family system, blurring of generational lines
h. Parent often alone with one child; work or school schedules which cause one
parent or caretaker, particularly the father or male family member, to spend a
great deal of time with a child
i. Favoritism by parent toward one child or an overly protective or jealous
parent
j. Reversal of roles between mother and daughter
k. Parent severely restricts child’s outside contacts with peers
l. Mother chronically ill or disabled
m. Questionable sleeping arrangements, often sleeping with one parent or
exposure to parental sexual behavior
n. Domineering, inflexible father won’t allow wife to drive or interact with
outsiders
o. Father who either directs all family activities at church or school
p. Parent or other family member has been sexually abused
q. Social, physical, and geographic isolation of family
r. Overcrowding or substandard living conditions
s. Alcohol or substance abuse in family
Credibility
A. Reports of multiple incidents over time
B. A progression from less intimate to more intimate sexual activity
C. Revelation of direct or implied understanding between the child and offender that the
activity should be kept secret, or the presence of elements of pressure and coercion
D. Explicit details of sexual behavior
E. Peripheral details as place of residence, or time of year
Characteristics of Victim Statements in Intra-familial Sex Abuse
Actual Sexual Abuse number of unique details, stereotypic in
pattern; does not fit together into a
1. Statements internally and logically cohesive fabric, contains major
consistent, large numbers of unique reversals, details tend to be self-
details, flowing narrative pieces serving, may not be consistent with
eventually all fitting together where Consistent with external data where such
minor peripheral details may be added is available; includes non-self-serving
or drop out, but no major reversals; details
2. Statements are rarely dramatic,
Unreliable/Fictitious Allegations rarely seeking to make the perpetrator
1. Statements become increasingly appear in a totally negative light, but
inconsistent over time, show diminished more ambivalent in tone; statements
 about details consistent with what is
known about similar crimes, e.g.,
perpetrator takes usual self-protective
steps against being discovered, follows
expected patterns seen in chronic incest
3. Rarely is force alleged, but usually
verbal manipulation, bribes, claims “we
will both get in trouble if you tell.” The
less adept perpetrator is more likely to
threaten or coerce the victim. In rare
cases where physical force is used in
intra-familial situations, it is usually
within the context of generalized family
violence, where the threat of force is the
most common mode of handling
conflict or disputes between family
members
4. Details provided are usually
consistent with what is known about
sexual physiology and response cycles
5. Described changes in social and
sexual relationship across time are
consistent with what is known about
perpetrator/victim long-term
relationship patterns
6. Rarely does the victim make issue of
memory. There may be instances of not
remembering known incidents, or not
remembering particular details at the
height of stress. In the usual memory
loss, the report will be consistent with
what is known about memory
processes, e.g. recency effects, fading,
loss of peripheral details first rather
than loss of the major events; memory
can usually be recalled by providing
non-leading cues.
7. Recantation may occur for the entire
incident or all alleged incidents when
external data where such is available; no
flowing narrative may have been given
major details have been formed through
interview technique of leading,
pressuring, shaping
2. Statements are often dramatic,
claims of being forced drugs or alcohol,
alleged multiple victims, and/or
multiple perpetrators, orgies, describes
situations in which alleged perpetrator
has not taken ordinary steps against
discovery of molestation
3. Statements almost invariably
progress from relatively innocuous
behaviors to increasingly intrusive,
abusive aggressive activities ultimately
with threats to harm or kill child or
significant others if victim discloses; in
some young children allegations of
torture, killings are made of animals and
or humans
4. Details may not be consistent with
what is known about sexual physiology,
response cycles except in areas where
child has been questions extensively so
that the right answers are learned
5. Details provided are not consistent
with what is known about
perpetrator/victim relationship patterns
unless this is superimposed by
interviewers who are aware of what
these patterns occurred at younger and
younger ages
6. Typically will not admit memory
problems, but may claim not to
remember when caught in
contradictions, or when feeling guilty
about making untrue statements; alleged
memory losses do not fit what is known
about memory processes; may later
absolutely deny statements which were
insisted upon earlier
7. Classical recantation is unlikely;
mother usually supports if not promotes
the allegations; family pattern is
typically two family units following a
pressure is applied within the family
situation to relieve the legal/economic
ramifications of the accusation. Often
the mother pushes for recantation
overtly or covertly. This pattern is seen
in initially intact family units who are
now separated due to the legal case
 8. Supportive parent has not
participated in one or more formal
interviews of the child in regard to the
allegations, nor observed the child
interviews
9. Child may appear pseudomature,
responsible, self-blaming, embarrassed
and while reluctant to disclose, the
statements are consistent across time.
Once or both parents may comment on
age-inappropriate sexual interests or
behavior preceding or following the
allegations coming to light
prior separation or divorce
8. Supportive parent often highly
involved in the emergence of the
Fabricated vs. Bona Fide Allegations of Abuse
Characteristics of Child
Fabricated
1. Welcomes chance to talk about
abuse
2. Contradictions and inconsistencies in
description
3. Presence of child custody dispute
4. Other evidence of Parental
Alienation Syndrome (PAR)
5. Can’t describe as many details
because there is no actual experience
6. Describes unlikely details or events
7. Simplistic, absurd, naïve description
8. No guilt, even hostility. Seems glad
to report perpetrator
9. Doesn’t feel genitals have been
damaged
10. Seems to enjoy attention
11. No preoccupation with sex other
than fabricated incident
12. No generalized fear of adults same
sex as perpetrator. No fear of alleged
Bona Fide
1. Hesitant, fearful to talk. Disclosure
requires several interviews
allegations, has usually participated in
child protective services or law-
enforcement interviews; parent makes
allegations that child resists confirming,
followed by repeating part of what
parent said later
9. Child is often immature, dependent,
manipulative, enmeshed with mother,
seen by both parents as naïve about
sexual matters
2. Less variation because real
experience exists
3. No parental dispute
4. No manifestation of Parental
Alienation Syndrome
5. Can give exact details because
reality exists
6. Situation, description is probable
7. Realistic and appropriate description
8. Guilt, reluctant to tell, no vengeance.
Guilt over problems allegations cause
to abuser
9. Worries genitals have been damaged.
Social as well as sexual damage
10. Does not enjoy attention. Has been
programmed for secrecy and shame
11. Preoccupation with sexual behavior.
Will give litany and then go play.
abuser
13. No fear of home. No desire to spend
excess time away from home. Willing
to go to home of abuser
14. Not complaint in interview
15. Not withdrawn. Outgoing and verbal
16. Not depressed
17. Sexual information comes from
fabricating adult, school, TV, or peers
18. Not prone to psychosomatic illness.
No regressive behavior
19. Has a litany. Routine description
20. No reenactment of abuse in play
21. Not likely to make physical contact
with therapist
22. Uses adult terminology
23. No sleep disturbances
24. Reports only one or two events
25. In joint interview with abuser, not
likely to act seductive or fearful
26. If retraction is made, shows guilt
over problems caused
Searching for gratification. Has been
sexually excited
12. Morbid fear of abuser, as well as of
other same-sex adults
Characteristics of Accusing Mother
Fabricated
1. Adversities to world. Not afraid of
public disclosure
2. Expands, exaggerates, fans every
spark
3. Wants hired gun evaluator against
abuser
4. In joint session with child. Child is
often checking with mother
5. Does not appreciate legal process
trauma
6. Do Does not acknowledge
Bona Fide
1. Ashamed, withdraws, tends to
minimize
2. Would rather it be less, not more
13. Extremely fearful of being alone.
Stays away from being home. Won’t
go to offender’s house
14. Compliant
15. Withdrawn, nonverbal; may have
fantasy world
16. Depressed, even suicidal
17. Information comes from real
experience with abuser
18. Prone to psychosomatic and
regressive behaviors and problems
19. No litany at outset. Although may
occur after several repetitions
20. Reenactment of trauma in play is
likely. Need for desensitization
21. Likely to be seductive and physical
with examiner
22. Uses terms used in home or by
abuser
23. Sleep disturbances, particularly if
abuse occurred in bed or at night
24. Often reports long history and
progression of abuse
25. Likely to act seductively to abuser,
or show high level of fear
26. If retraction is made, shows fear.
Result of threats made by abuser
3. Receptive to impartial evaluation and
therapy to lessen future risk
4. In joint session with child, child does
not check with mother
5. Tries to avoid trauma
6. More open to eventual contact with
father
importance of father/child relationship.
Does not want father to see child
7. Not likely to have been abused as
child
8. Not passive; more aggressive,
outspoken
9. Presence of child custody dispute
10. Inconsistencies in describing events
other than alleged abuse
 7. Likely to have been abused
8. Passive, disabled, absent
9. No dispute
10. Lack f duplicity or inconsistencies

Characteristics of Alleged Abuser – Father

Fabricated Bona Fide
1. No instance of gifts, bribery by
1. Gifts are common
abuser
2. Threats common
2. No threats involved in scenario
3. False indignation, passive silence,
3. Father is indignant, willing to take
ambivalent about taking lie detector
lie detector test
4. Child is not as affected by mother’s
4. Child is angry at father in mother’s
presence
presence, but out of mother’s presence,
5. Likely to have been abused
child is not as hostile to father
6. Presence of sexual deviations.
5. Father is not likely to have been
Sexual addiction symptoms
abused as child
7. Negative past relationships. Poor
6. No associated sexual deviations
self-esteem. Welcomes passive,
7. History of good equal heterosexual
compliant, participation of child
relationships. Adequate self-esteem.
8. Regression when stressed
Can handle female rejection
9. Abusive of alcohol and drugs
8. Not prone to regression in situations
10. Isolated, few friends. Can be
of stress
controlling in home
9. Less likely to abuse drugs and
11. Choosing work opportunities that
alcohol
bring him into contact with children
10. Not likely to be social isolate
12. Stepfather more likely to be abuser
11. No special career choice relative to
13. Tends to be rigid, controlling, etc.
family contact
14. No dispute
12. No difference in probability between
15. No inconsistencies
father and stepfather
13. Not rigid, moralistic, or legalistic
14. Presence of custody dispute
15. Inconsistencies in details of events
other than abuse

Treatment of Sexual Abuse

Damaged Goods Syndrome: The child feels physically, emotionally, and socially damaged
 Refer child for a physical exam to determine of there are any physical injuries that
require medical attention
 Reassure child that physical injuries have been (or will be) treated
 Help child understand that he or she is not damaged physically or emotionally
 Help family members overcome distorted perceptions of the child and respond to the
child in an appropriate manner
Guilt: The child feels guilty about the sexual activity, about the closing, and/or about any family
disruption that followed disclosure
 Help the child express guilty feelings
 Help the child and family members realize the child is not responsible for the sexual
abuse
 Reassure the child he or she is not responsible for any disruption on the family that
followed disclosure
 Reassure the child that he or she has a right to expect protection from the perpetrator
 Reinforce the child’s decision to disclose
 Help the child (if sufficiently mature) identify elements of his/her behavior for which he
or she should be responsible (e.g., use of manipulative behaviors)
Fear: The child is fearful of the consequences of his or her participation in the sexual activity
and disclosure
 Help the child identify and express his or her fears
 Reinforce the child’s decision to disclose
 Refer to God’s protection, but remember victim’s experience to this point has been
contrary
 Facilitate practical measures to keep child safe
Depression: The child is depressed following the disclosure
 Observe the child for signs of depression or suicidal intent
 Help the child ventilate his or her feelings
 Believe, support, and love the child unconditionally
 Sometimes recommend hospitalization and/or medication
 If mother closely allied with offender, work toward reducing conflicting allegiances
Low Self-Esteem: The child feels unwanted and undeserving and describes himself or herself
in derogatory terms
 Help the child identify and express positive feelings about himself or herself
 Provide opportunities to develop a “claim to fame.” Needs areas of success
 Affirm identity as a child of God and a unique creation
 Communicate God’s unconditional love
 Use Christ’s suffering and anguish as a bridge for feelings of victim. Don’t rush too
quickly to Christ the victor; give child time to identify with Christ the victim
 Emphasize God’s grace
Poor Social Skills: Child has inadequate social skills as a result of parent’s pressure to limit
outside relationships
 Provide child with opportunities to develop social skills (e.g., group therapy, anger
management, self-control materials)
 Work with school personnel to facilitate social growth
Anger and Hostility: Although sometimes outwardly passive, the child is inwardly hostile and
angry
 Help child identify and ventilate angry and hostile feelings. Affirm that it is ok to be
angry
  Help child to learn to express anger in assertive but non-destructive ways
 Provide opportunities to express anger in a safe environment such as a group
Inability to Trust: The child is distrustful as a result of being abused by a trusted person
 Provide opportunities to develop satisfying, trusting relationships (e.g., with therapist
“Big Brother”)
 Encourage child to try new relationships, but work to ensure they are safe
Role Confusion: The sexual relationship with an adult has blurred boundaries and roles
 Help child and family members resolve role confusion. It is important to have family
members confirm counselor’s statements about appropriate boundaries
 Modify communication patterns among family members so they are consistent with
appropriate roles
 Work towards having a perpetrator explain to the child that the abuser is responsible for
what happened, that the sexual activity was inappropriate, and that it will not happen
again
 Approach the topic of forgiveness between the offender and victim, but not too soon
 If working toward reuniting family, work out detailed agreement on respect for
Boundaries
Failure to Complete Developmental Tasks: Preoccupation with sexual activity has interfered
with child’s accomplishment of normal developmental tasks
 Help child assume more appropriate child role. Encourage child play
 Obtain family’s cooperation in helping child relinquish his or her inappropriate
responsibilities. Entire system must change
Lack of Self-Mastery and Control
 Help the child understand that he or she has a right to self-determination and privacy
 Provide opportunities for child to test his or her capacity for self-mastery and control
(e.g., role-playing, learning about accountability)
 Teach family members how to reinforce the child’s appropriate independent and
responsible behaviors
Ambivalent Feeling Toward the Perpetrator: The child has negative and positive feelings
towards the perpetrator
 Help the child sort out and express his or her negative and positive feelings
 Reassure the child that it is acceptable to have both types of feelings
 Teach the difference between physical contact and love
Ambivalent Feelings Toward the Non-Offending Parent: The child has negative and positive
feelings towards the non-abusive parent
 Help child to sort out and express negative and positive feelings
 Reassure child that it is acceptable to have both types of feelings
Fears Concerning the Reaction of Others: Child is concerned about the responses of siblings,
friends, etc.
 Identify how the child perceives the feelings and reactions of others
 Help the child express his or her disappointments, fears, and anger
  Help siblings identify and express their feelings about the abuse
 Provide child with opportunities to develop healthy relationships
Inappropriate Boy-Girl Relationships: The child mistrusts others of the same sex as the
perpetrator, displays inappropriate sexualized behaviors, etc.
 Provide the child with opportunities to develop positive relationships with individuals of
the same sex as the perpetrator
 Provide instruction regarding appropriate behavior
 Provide information regarding appropriate boy-girl or dating behavior
Negative Effects of the Legal System: The child has a negative response to the court system
 Prepare child for court proceedings by providing emotional support and information about
the court process
 Reinforce child’s decision to disclose
 Lack of information about sex: The child’s knowledge about sex and birth control is
limited and tainted
 Provide chills with age-appropriate sex education
 Work with family to reinforce values as well as knowledge information