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UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF VICTIMIZATION IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES

UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF VICTIMIZATION IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES. by Wynne Mittledorf Shaw, M.Ed., LPC-S Clinical Supervisor Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. ABOUT DCAC.

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UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF VICTIMIZATION IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES

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  1. UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF VICTIMIZATION IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASES by Wynne Mittledorf Shaw, M.Ed., LPC-S Clinical Supervisor Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center

  2. ABOUT DCAC • Our mission is to improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County and provide national leadership on child abuse issues. • We use a multidisciplinary team approach, bringing Child Protective Services workers, DPD detectives, Dallas County DA’s, Children’s Medical Center staff, forensic interviewers and therapists together to provide families all the services they need in one location.

  3. ABOUT ME • Bachelor’s in Psychology from UT Austin • Master’s in Counseling from UNT • In the child abuse field 17 years • With DCAC 12 years • First 8 years working with moms • Last 4 years as a supervisor

  4. CONFERENCE GOALS • Provide an overview of the dynamics of sexual abuse. • Provide an understanding of the cycle of abuse in families. • Provide tips for working with families. • Provide tools/resources to help families.

  5. WHAT IS SEXUAL ABUSE • Sexual abuse is the involvement of a child or teenager in any type of sexual activity with an adult or older child. Abuse is always for the pleasure of the perpetrator and always involves coercion or manipulation and secrecy.

  6. TYPES OF SEXUAL ABUSE • Touching breasts, buttocks or genitals • Anal, oral or vaginal penetration • Exposing self to child or forcing child to expose themselves • Showing a child porn or using a child to produce porn • Prostituting or otherwise exploiting child • Exposing a child to live sex acts

  7. SEXUAL ABUSE FACTS • 1 in 3-4 girls will be abused by age 18. • 1 in 5-6 boys will be abused by age 18. • Many victims never disclose their abuse. • Almost all (90%) abusers are family members or someone close to the child. • Abusers manipulate and groom parents as well as the child.

  8. Behavioral Nightmares/sleep problems Trouble with rules Aggression Clingy/whiney Regression Sexual acting out Drug/Alcohol Abuse SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

  9. Emotional Fear/anxiety Sadness/Depression Poor self-esteem Irritability Anger Guilt/shame/confusion Inability to trust SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

  10. LONG TERM EFFECTS OF CSA • Chronic medical problems • Chronic psychiatric/psychological problems • Poor relationships • Increased risk of further victimization • Substance abuse

  11. FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS • Poor communication • Poor boundaries • Role reversal • Isolation • Extreme parental stress • Parental substance abuse • Domestic Violence • Parental history of abuse

  12. CYCLE OF ABUSE

  13. GROOMING • The process an abuser uses to gain a parent & child’s trust and confuse the child into thinking the abuse is ok. • Begins with manipulating the parent • Moves to building a relationship with child • Exploits the child’s vulnerability • Leads to borderline abusive acts • Escalates to full blown abuse

  14. WHAT ABOUT ABUSERS? • Many adult sex abusers witnessed DV as a child. • Many adult sex abusers were sexually abused as a child. • Many are not true pedophiles. • Power and control are often the primary motivation.

  15. WHY KIDS DON’T TELL • FEAR, FEAR, FEAR • Of not being believed • Of getting in trouble • Of perpetrator • Of upsetting family • Don’t realize its wrong • Don’t know how/who to tell • Perpetrator told them not to • Don’t want to get perpetrator in trouble

  16. RESPONDING TO VICTIMS • Stay calm. • Assure the child you believe them. • Assure the child its not their fault and they are not in trouble with you. • Let the child know you will help keep them safe – but don’t make promises • Encourage the child to talk about it.

  17. A WORD ABOUT DISCLOSURE • Its a process, not a 1x event • Isn’t always clear at first • Expect delays • Initial denial ≠ no abuse • Discrepancies ≠ lies • Recanting ≠ no case

  18. THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND • No medical evidence ≠ no abuse • Positive feelings for abuser ≠ no abuse • Kids think differently than adults • Expect family drama and turmoil • Kids need extra prep for trial • KIDS RARELY LIE ABOUT ABUSE!!!!!

  19. HOW COULD SHE BE SO BLIND? • Abusers are very sneaky. • It only takes an instant. • Kids work hard to hide abuse. • And may even deny abuse. • Hindsight is 20/20. • Past abuse disables their radar. • They never suspected family.

  20. UNDERSTANDING MOM’S REACTION • Fear factor!!! • Remember Maslow’s hierarchy. • Remember the cycle of abuse. • Learned helplessness • There are losses involved. • A mom can be supportive without believing.

  21. HELPING MOMS BELIEVE • Don’t demand instant belief and anger. • Understand that this is hard to believe. • Try not to blame or interrogate. • Explain that you believe the child. • Explain that mom should not push child for details but can talk about feelings. • Provide education and resources. • Refer for therapy/professional support.

  22. THE CHILD ABUSE/DV LINK • Strong connection between DV and child physical and sexual abuse. • Perpetrators of DV also abused children in 70% of cases. • Dynamics are similar – power and control. • Discovering child abuse is often what motivates DV victims to leave.

  23. THE CHILD ABUSE/SA LINK • Strong connection between substance abuse and child physical/sexual abuse. • Substance abuse is a factor in 70% of reported child abuse cases. • 50-80% of sex offenders abuse alcohol &/or drugs. • Parents with SA problems less able to protect children from abuse and less able to support them after abuse occurs.

  24. HOW WILL THIS HELP MY CASE? • A parent who has support is more cooperative and supportive of child. • A child who feels safe and supported usually gives more info. • A child with a supportive parent is less likely to recant and has better recovery. • A healthy family looks better at trial.

  25. SEX ABUSE RESOURCES • Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center • DCAC.org • 214-818-2600 • Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas • CACTX.org • National Children’s Advocacy Center • Nationalcac.org

  26. GENERAL RESOURCES • Local DA and PD Victim Witness Liaison • Texas Dept of Criminal Justice – • Victim Services Division • www.tdcj.state.tx.us/victim/victim-home.htm or 800-848-4284 • Texas Attorney General’s Office • Crime Victims Compensation Division • National Center for Victims of Crime • 800-fyi-call (394-2255) ncvc.org

  27. CONTACT INFO Wynne Shaw Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center 214-818-2655 wshaw@dcac.org

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