Adult survivors of child sexual abuse bibliography

"The impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on later-life health outcomes has been studied extensively and links with depression, anxiety and self-harm have been established. However, there has been relatively little research undertaken on the possible impact of CSA on later-life economic outcomes. Here, we explore whether older men who report having experienced CSA have weaker labour force attachment and lower incomes compared to other men. We use data from the first wave of the new Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) which is a nationally-representative survey of people aged 50 and over. We find that male victims of CSA are almost four times more likely to be out of the labour force due to sickness and disability. They also spent a higher proportion of their potential working lives out of the labour force for these reasons and have lower incomes. These effects remain even when we control for mental health difficulties and negative health behaviors. Among the policy implications are the need to be more aware of the complex effects of CSA when designing labour market activation strategies such as training for the unemployed. The results are also relevant in the legal context where compensation awards are determined."--Author abstract.

This article investigated whether there is a relationship between childhood sexual, physical, emotional abuse and unexplained chest pain in adulthood. Eighty-seven adult participants from an earlier population study were studied for unexplained chest pain.

One of the aims of this research project was to develop a fuller understanding of the process of disclosure of child sexual abuse. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 men and women aged 25 to 70 years old, who had an early sexual experience at the age of 15 or under with someone of 18 or over. Narrative inquiry methodology was used and data was analysed using Rosenthal and Fischer-Rosenthal's (2004) process of data analysis. Disclosure can be concep tualised as a complex and life-long process, and most participants did not make a selective disclosure until adulthood. The findings extend Alaggia's (2004) model of disclosure to include the life stage and the person to whom the disclosure is being made. The main barriers to disclosure and possible gender differences are discussed. Family therapists need to manage the challenges inherent in disclosure of child sexual abuse at any age.

The Living Well service, based in Queensland, is dedicated to the provision of a supportive, accessible, respectful, service to men who have experienced child sexual abuse or sexual assault. Mary Stathopoulos, a Research Officer at ACSSA, interviewed Dr Gary Foster, the manager of Living Well, about his insights regarding barriers to disclosure for men, the difficulties faced by individual workers in the field, and the application of feminist principles in providing support for male victim/survivors of sexual assault.

This research project explored the ongoing process of constructing a narrative, following childhood sexual abuse. Twenty-two men and women aged 25-70 were interviewed about their childhood sexual experiences with adults using narrative inquiry methodology. These experiences occurred in different social and historical contexts, when the theoretical understandings and treatment of the issue of child sexual abuse were significantly different from the present. Many factors made disclosure even more difficult then than it is now including: respect for authority; rigid gender roles; the taboo surrounding sexual issues; lack of supportive adults; and lack of language to describe what was happening. Participants told four differing narratives about their experiences: narratives of silence; narratives of ongoing suffering; narratives of transformation; and narratives of transcendence. These narratives were examined in relation to the changing social and historical context and the current dominance of the victim and survivor paradigm in the child sexual abuse literature.

In April 2009, the Australian Government declared a 'zero tolerance' position on violence against women and children, and acknowledged that, 'The Laws must be strong enough to hold perpetrators to account and offer justice and safety for victims and their families'. Indeed, there is increasing emphasis on responding to the needs of victim/survivors of sexual assault within Australian criminal justice systems. This has been demonstrated through myriad procedural and substantive law reforms that have been introduced over the past 40 years. Nonetheless, research continues to demonstrate that prosecution and conviction rates for sexual offences are not increasing, and that criminal justice system procedures are distressing and traumatising for victim/survivors. Understanding what victim/survivors see as justice and what they consider to be fair procedures are key to developing procedures to meet their needs. Drawing on the narratives of 22 victim/survivors of sexual assault, this article identifies what justice means to these victim/survivors and discusses four key aspects that relate to their procedural justice needs - information, validation, voice and control. The article considers how these can be applied to system procedures to promote meaningful and worthwhile justice system responses for victim/survivors of sexual assault.

This article investigates the rate of suicide or accidental fatal drug overdose among adults who had been sexually abused as children. The authors conducted a historical cohort study linking the forensic medical records, from 1964 to 1995, for 2,759 children in Victoria who had been recorded as being sexually abused, with coronial records of deaths recorded from 1989 to 2008. This data was compared to the general population. The study found that victims of child sexual assault are at increased risk of suicide, most had had contact with the public mental health system, and half were recorded as being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The article discusses the findings and the implications for suicide prevention.

This article is part of a discussion series focusing on public education media campaigns in the areas of childhood sexual abuse. In the article, the author reflects on the strategy of the recent 'Father of the Bride' media campaign, which was run in 2009 by the advocacy organisation Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA). The deliberately controversial campaign aimed to use shock tactics to address taboos and stigma surrounding the issues, and to generate discussion. The author considers her personal response to the advert, its intended aims, and concludes that there is a need for more research on strategies for effective social marketing for changing community attitudes.

This article is part of a discussion series focusing on public education media campaigns in the areas of childhood sexual abuse. In the article, the author reviews the recent 'Father of the Bride' media campaign, which was run in 2009 by the advocacy organisation Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA). The deliberately controversial campaign aimed to use shock tactics to address taboos and stigma surrounding the issues, and to generate discussion. However, the author argues that instead the campaign sends the wrong message to child abuse victims and the general public, and could cause additional harm.

This article is part of a discussion series focusing on public education media campaigns in the areas of childhood sexual abuse. Despite the increased media coverage of child abuse stories, there is little community awareness of the long-term impacts of childhood sexual abuse. In response, the advocacy organisation Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA) developed a confronting media campaign to address the taboos and stigma surrounding the issues, and to generate discussion. This article describes the development and development of their controversial 'Father of the Bride' media campaign, which ran in 2009.

This journal issue features a discussion series focusing on public education media campaigns in the areas of childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault prevention. This editorial highlights the issues involved, and introduces the featured articles.

This article is part of a discussion series focusing on ageing, dementia, and adult survivors of childhood sexual assault. In this interview, Jill Duncan, of CASA House in Melbourne, talks to Rhonda Pryor, who has been working as a manager of aged care services in Victoria for 12 years. Rhonda reflects on her experiences caring for elderly patients who disclose memories of childhood sexual assault.

This article is part of a discussion series focusing on ageing, dementia, and adult survivors of childhood sexual assault. Adelle Williams is a training specialist in aged care with the company Communication Change Observation Respect and Dignity (CCORD). In this interview, she talks about the issue of dementia care and the recognition of triggered traumatic memories of childhood sexual assault. She also discusses the model she is developing to care more effectively for people with dementia who are experiencing traumatic memories of childhood sexual assault.

This article is part of a discussion series focusing on ageing, dementia, and adult survivors of childhood sexual assault. In the article, the author applies trauma theory to childhood sexual abuse, explaining how traumatic experiences are processed over the life-course, and their place in personal growth. Psychological injuries have a complex and life-long impact - changing the whole person - rather than something that can be resolved with initial care.

Sexual relations between children and adults is a highly controversial issue, and is usually framed as child sexual abuse. However, not all people regard their childhood sexual experiences as abusive or having an impact on their lives. Without detracting from the significant trauma of child abuse, this book seeks to explore divergent narratives of childhood sexual experiences, in particular to examine the factors leading to resilience in adversity or reduced perceptions of severity. The chapters look at the current literature on child sexual abuse and experiences, family and environmental protective and risk factors, the psychology of disclosure, coping mechanisms, gender differences, affect on sexuality, and the implications for therapy, and draws upon the narratives of adults who describe their perceptions - in childhood and adulthood - of their experiences. The outline of a ten week recovery programme is also included.

147 Australian men who were sexually abused in childhood were examined to determine the relationship between their coping strategies and clinical diagnoses. The relationship between the time passed since the abuse and their psychological functioning was also examined. This sample of men and a sample of 1,231 men from the community had their clinical psychopathology compared. Both groups were given the 28 item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ28) and the 60 item coping style inventory instrument (COPE). The study concluded that the men who were sexually abused in childhood were more likely to have clinical diagnoses and that their coping strategies have a significant effect on this outcome. An important coping strategy seems to be seeking practial social support, though the timing of this does not seem to be critical. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for practice such as the need for support services to help male victims develop practical approaches and intellectual reframing to enable them to see positive growth.

"Little research has been done on the needs of men who experienced child sexual abuse, particularly on survivors' own perspectives. Mental health charity, Health in Mind worked with CRFR on a Big Lottery funded project, to explore care and support needs of male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This briefing outlines the project's findings and recommendations."

This study explored the service needs of adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Scotland, and the implications for support services and intervention. Twenty-four men were interviewed on the nature of the abuse, the impact during childhood, the impact on adulthood, employment, drug abuse, anger and offending, sexuality and relationships, service use, and their views on facilitating child disclosure and improving mental health services. The report concludes with recommendations for child and adult services, and issues in working with sexually abused male prisoners.

As part of a larger investigation on the role of genes and the environment in the development of opioid dependence, this study examines whether childhood abuse is a risk factor for drug dependence. The study interviewed 967 opioid dependent adults from urban new South Wales, matched against a control group of 346 adults from a similarly socially disadvantaged background. The interviews looked at maltreatment during childhood, family environment, drug use and psychiatric history. The results of the study showed a substantial relationship between some forms of child maltreatment and opioid dependence. Opioid-dependent males had a higher prevalence of physical and emotional abuse, and opioid-dependent females were found to have a higher prevalence and severity of sexual abuse.

The objective of the study was to establish the impact of child sexual abuse on adult sexual behaviour over three age periods. Data was drawn from a longitudinal study from Dunedin New Zealand, using the 1972 and 1973 birth cohort. At the age of 26, information on child sexual abuse was sought, and at the ages of 21, 26 and 32 information on sexual behaviour and outcomes were examined. Comparisons for the period between 18-21, 21 to 26 and 26 to 32 were made. For abused women, there was an increased rate of sexual partners, unwanted pregnancies, abortions and sexually transmitted infections from age 18-21, with rates approaching those of non-abused over time. For men rates were not significantly elevated in the younger age period, but abused men seemed to carry increased risks into adulthood.

Using narrative inquiry methodology, this study explored how men and women constructed a sense of self through narrative following an early sexual experience with an adult. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 women and nine men, aged between 25 and 70, in New South Wales. The participants had all had an early sexual experience when they were 15 years or younger with someone 18 years or older. The co-constructed stories that emerged were examined through narrative analysis. This article presents participants' four evolving narratives of their experiences: narratives of silence, of ongoing suffering, of transformation, and of transcendence. It examines the gender differences between these narratives in the light of the literature relating to childhood sexual abuse, the victim and survivor discourses, and the social construction of gender.

"A book detailing inspiring stories from women from women who have confronted the adversities and personal challenges associated with sexual abuse during their childhood. These women have had the courage to work through past difficulties to move into a future with which they are content. They reveal the thinking, decision-making, strategies and actions that have enabled them to reclaim their lives, to grow and keep moving on."

This paper discusses good practice considerations for culturally appropriate services for Indigenous survivors of sexual assault. It outlines values and power balance, language, alternative service provision, co-location of services, outreach, holistic services, client empowerment, confidentiality, building trust, employing Indigenous personnel, and that 'one size doesn't fit all'. Professionals working in this area also need to understand the context of kinship systems, intergenerational and historical trauma, and cycles of abuse, which can hinder or harm their clients.

This booklet is written for men who are suffering from the effects of childhood sexual abuse. It offers advice on the first steps on changing their lives for the better, and contacts for support organisations in South Australia. Section one of the booklet discusses the context of abuse, including the tactics of perpetrators. Section two looks at the effects of abuse and suggestions on coping strategies. The third section is entitled 'Finding your own way: staying connected to what you value in life', and offers advice on self care and seeking support. The booklet features stories and quotes from men who have experienced child sexual abuse, emphasising that people are not alone and that it?s possible to move beyond the abuse.

As a child, the author was sexually abused by a trusted caregiver. In this book, she reflects on the experience of sexual abuse and its effects as a way of learning new, healthier patterns of relating to oneself and others. The book and the accompanying CD explore psychological and spiritual themes of self reflection and understanding as a means of recovering from abuse.

The Health Model is a treatment guideline complex post traumatic stress disorder. Part 1 of this article series outlined the steps involved: Stage 1: Having a supportive and experienced therapist; Stage 2: Ensuring personal safety; Stage 3: Assisting with daily functioning; Stage 4: Learning to manage core PTSD symptoms; Stage 5: Treating complex symptoms; Stage 6: Having patience and persistence in enabling ego strengthening. This article, part 2, uses a case study with an adult who had experienced multiple forms of abuse as a child, to illustrate some of the issues for practitioners.

"[This book is] narrative review of the current state of knowledge of the effects and role of psychoanalytic psychotherapy in the treatment of children and adults who have experienced childhood abuse and neglect ... This book is intended for practitioners of psychiatric, psychological, and psychoanalytic therapies and providers of mental health services to children and adults ... Sections cover: the epidemiology of child abuse; different aspects of child abuse; health consequences in children and adults; memories of abuse and the recovered memories controversy; high risk groups; gender; domestic violence; how early relational trauma interferes with early development and leads to disturbed attachment; impaired emotional regulation; dissociation."

Although estimates of prevalence vary greatly, the rate of childhood sexual abuse appears to be higher in sexual offenders than in community samples of adult males. This study investigated the history of 324 South Australian male sexual offenders who had committed offences against children. It compared offenders who had experienced sexual abuse as children with those who had not. Sexual offenders who had been sexually abused were more likely to report other childhood difficulties and adult homosexual relationships. They were also more likely to ahve a history of nonsexual offending, sexual offending against male victims and against multiple victims, and to have crossed boundaries of gender, age and relationship to their victims. The study showed no significant relationship between characteristics of their childhood sexual abuse experiences and sexual offending. The study has implications for sexual abuse as a risk factor for sexual offending.

There is converging evidence indicating a close association between trauma, particularly childhood trauma, and adult somatisation, but studies using both structured interviews and self report measures to assess childhood adversities in patients with somatisation disorder are scarce. In this study, a total of 28 patients with somatisation disorder underwent the Structured Trauma Interview (STI) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The comparison group consisted of 28 patients with major depression but without a lifetime diagnosis of somatisation disorder. Results showed that somatising patients had been exposed to childhood sexual and physical abuse significantly more often than major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. Sexual abuse emerged as the only significant predictor, and the odds of having been sexually abused were ninefold higher in patients with somatisation disorders relative to MDD subjects. There were no differences between somatising and depressed participants with respect to other types of maltreatment. The study concluded that childhood sexual abuse is an important factor in the multifactorial aetiopathogenesis of somatisation disorder. Diagnostic and therapeutic implications are discussed.

This research report investigates outcomes of the Jacaranda project 2002-2004, a group work program for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The report provides an overview of the achievements and evaluation of the Jacaranda Project, and discusses the quantitative and qualitative methodology used. The report discusses group participants' and group leaders' views, summary findings and conclusions as to the value and benefits of the project. It also includes various questionnaires, information sheets and forms, and a literature review of childhood sexual abuse.