Dr. Sherri R. Edelman, Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Professional Counselor. Counseling victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse: SEXUAL ABUSE is sexual contact, not involving penetration, in which the victim does not--or is unable to--give knowing consent. Sexual contact, not involving penetration, may include intentional fondling by the assailant (directly or through clothing) of the sex organs, buttocks, or breasts for the purpose of sexual gratification of the assailant. The definition also includes the victim being coerced into fondling the assailant. It is important to note that both definitions are gender neutral. Sexual assault and sexual abuse can be emotionally devastating to victims of either sex. However, as the victims are more often females, the information presented in this pamphlet primarily addresses female survivors and their loved ones. In domestic violence situations, the abuser attempts to exert power and control over their victim. Possessiveness, sexual jealousy, intrusiveness, and attempts to isolate the victim are typical of people who batter and abuse. The victim tends to withdraw from others, so slowly that she/he doesn't realize it, until she/he becomes even more dependent upon the batterer. Isolation and lack of social support makes the victim increasingly vulnerable to the abuser. This "power and control" pattern is the mortar that perpetuates the abusive relationship, as the victim feels more and more psychologically helpless. Common reactions to living in a situation of domestic violence are a variety of intense fears: of retribution, of losing control, of being blamed, and of not being believed. In addition, anger, self-blame, shame, guilt, depression, denial, numbness, re-experiencing the violence in dreams, thoughts, flashbacks, avoiding situations which are similar to those in which violence has occurred, being hyper-vigilant and startling easily are widespread responses. Abusing alcohol and drugs or behaving compulsively in terms of sex, gambling, eating/starving are also frequent reactions. Being assaulted by a stranger is a traumatic experience for anyone, but being abused by someone in your own family is worse. In addition to the victimization itself, in a domestic violence and/or sexual abuse situation the victim must also deal with the emotional conflict which comes from being hurt by someone who claims to love them or who has promised or is obligated to care for them. Physical Abuse or Battering of adults takes many forms including slapping, shaking, shoving, punching, kicking, hair-pulling, choking, burning, and attack with a weapon. Battering also includes threats of physical harm. Physical abuse tends to escalate over time and may lead to more and more serious injuries ultimately culminating in death. Psychological Abuse is a powerful component of domestic violence where the abuser humiliates, intimidates, and terrorizes their victim by creating an atmosphere of fear. Degradation, and belittling of the victim's actions, thoughts, and capabilities are common forms of psychological abuse. ounseling abused children is a challenging task for practitioners. The incidence of reported and substantiated child abuse and neglect has risen dramatically since the "discovery" of the Battered Child Syndrome in the sixties, and subsequent mandatory reporting laws. The nation has moved through stages of public awareness about the phenomenon. Currently practitioners have become aware of the widespread sexual abuse of girls (estimated at one in four females) and are developing increasing awareness of the sexual abuse of boys. Rapid changes in the knowledge base demand that counselors keep abreast of the indicators of maltreatment, the laws for reporting suspected abuse, and the ways in which children can best be served to overcome effects of a negative family experience. All fifty states require that helping professionals report suspected child abuse to the child protection agency or the police. Many counselors experience difficulty with reporting requirements for fear of violating the trust of a child, or creating mistrust with the child's parents. Such reporting to Children's Protective Services has saved the lives of many children, and brought help to families. Although children are still removed from their families and placed in foster homes when it is necessary for their protection, the emphasis has shifted to serving children in their own homes, and providing services to help the family overcome the situations which lead to abuse or neglect. Counselors should be familiar with child abuse reporting laws in their own states. Typically counselors and school personnel are required to report suspected abuse, and are granted immunity from liability because they are presumed to be acting in good faith. Many states also have criminal or civil penalties established for mandated professionals who fail to report. A common theme underlying most forms of maltreatment--physical abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse and exploitation--is that of emotional hurt. The child who is physically abused often suffers emotionally from inconsistent parenting and fear. The sexually abused child suffers from the lack of affection or supervision which leaves him/her vulnerable to the subtle advances of the perpetrator; and the neglected child becomes anxious or apathetic about a life in which basic needs aren't met. One general consequence of child maltreatment is developmental fixation or "freezing." The child who comes to the attention of the counselor due to difficulties in the classroom or poor social adjustment may very well be a maltreated child. Child sexual abuse is the adult (or older child) exploitation of the normal childhood development process, through the use of sexual activity. Examples of the types of sexual activity might include touching, kissing, fondling, manipulations of the genitals with the fingers, and actual sexual intercourse. female perpetrators and found both accomplices who aided male perpetrators, and independent abusers, who had come from a background of bad childhoods, unhappy marriages and earlier sexual victimization. Within the last decade it has been acknowledged that male children are also sexually victimized and are at great risk.
Topics & Services of the Philadelphia Psycholgist:
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| mental health | psychotherapy | consultation | clinical psychology | physical abuse | child abuse |
| sexual abuse | rehabilitation | adolescents | mind and spirit | holistic counseling | domestic violence |
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