Bibliographies
Adult survivors of child sexual assault
Updated December 2009
This bibliography of recent research has been compiled from the library collection of the Australian Institute of Family Studies. Where available online, a link to the document is provided. Most other items can be borrowed from the Institute's library via the interlibrary loan system. Online publications in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Adult victim/ survivors of childhood sexual assault
Fergus, Lara; Keel, Monique
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2005, 6p (ACSSA Wrap no.1)
An overview of current information on childhood sexual assault is presented. The following areas are covered: what childhood sexual assault is, who sexually assaults children and how common it is, the effects on victim / survivors, service responses, barriers to reporting, criminal justice responses, and what needs to be addressed in terms of research and service responses.
After abuse
Mammen, Gita
Camberwell, Vic: ACER Press, 2006, 139p
This guide is designed to help health practitioners work with the mental health of adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. It describes techniques for working with survivors, which derive from many schools of thought. The book discusses: the trauma of childhood sexual abuse, including developmental trauma, types of traumatic events, secrecy, the adult health aftermath of childhood sexual abuse and adult mental health; how service frameworks affect help available to survivors, the types of help survivors seek, survivor health care pathway, types of agencies and practitioners that survivors approach, relevance of service frameworks to a survivor, the current service spectrum, and how perpetrator work differs; assessment and goal plans; preliminary considerations, principles and pitfalls; underpinnings of early and ongoing abuse specific work; strategies and techniques in early and ongoing abuse specific work; memory; and the social context of abuse specific mental health care. Case studies are presented throughout.
Attachment theory and personality disorder: approaches to high risk families
Newman, Louise
Communities, Children and Families Australia Vol. 3, No. 2; Jul 2008: 4-18
Early disturbances of parenting have significant implications for infant development and mental health. Parents with histories of abuse and trauma and a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder frequently experience core difficulties in understanding and responding to socio-emotional information and interpersonal interactions and these have a significant impact on parenting capacity. An early intervention approach to this group should focus on improving emotional interaction and quality of the child's attachment experience. Research attention should be given to the modification of parenting programs and infant-parent psychotherapy approaches for high-risk parents.
Building generations: a strengths-based, solution-focussed, parenting program for female adult survivors of childhood family sexual violence: manual
Basham, Sandra
Perth, WA: Incest Survivors' Association, 2007, 217p
Survivors of childhood intrafamilial sexual abuse or domestic violence often face problems when they become parents - overprotective or neglectful parenting skills, fears of not being a good parent, or risks of a repeating cycle of family violence. The 'Building Generations' parenting program provides education and support for groups of women, and covers parenting styles, healthy versus unhealthy parenting, consistency, handling emotions, child development and behaviour, safety issues for children, dealing with anger and violence, and self care. This manual outlines group sessions, and includes handouts, background information and literature review, and tips for group facilitation and closure.
An article about this program is available in Child Abuse Prevention Newsletter Vol. 16, No. 2 2008: 14-16
A capacity building process for women with a history of child sexual abuse
Van Loon, Antonia; Kralik, Debbie
Australian Journal of Primary Health v.12 no.2 Aug 2006: 167-176
The authors report the research process used to promote the capacity of women made homeless by the consequences of addictions to alcohol, drugs or gambling, that are considered the result of being sexually abused as children. They aimed to improve the capacity of service providers working with this client group, and used the participatory action research (PAR) process 'Look, Think, Act', employed by Stringer (1999; Stringer and Gene!, 2004). 'Looking' involved building a picture of the issue based on available information. Participants described what was going on so a clear picture of the context emerged. 'Thinking' was the clarification phase where meanings and feelings generated by the experience were explored. It involved sense-making questions such as, 'What is happening and why? How am I feeling about this?' The aim was to understand the when, what, where and how of the experience. After describing the issues the women were invited to think about what they could do about the issue. 'Acting' (a difficult phase), involved effecting change. Action required involvement with the situation. It was a new skill for many women as they had become disengaged with their lives. They were encouraged to choose actions that moved them towards chosen goals. Many women had become so disempowered they ignored their needs and had few hopes or aspirations. We encouraged them to take the smallest and most easily managed actions likely to have the most benefit for their wellbeing. The process arid the outcomes are described in this paper.
Care and support needs of male survivors of childhood sexual abuse (PDF 354 KB)
Nelson, Sarah
Edinburgh: Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, 2009
Little research has been undertaken on men who experienced child sexual abuse, particularly on survivors’ own perspectives. This research undertook to explore care and support needs of male survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Childhood physical abuse and adult offending: are they linked, and is there scope for early intervention? (PDF 275 KB)
Teague, Rosie; Mazerolle, Paul
Brisbane, Qld: Crime and Misconduct Commission, 2007, 8p (Research and issues paper no.6)
This study examines the relationship between childhood physical abuse and offending among 480 male and female offenders serving community corrections orders in Queensland. Do offending rates differ between respondents who have been abused during childhood and those who have not, and if there is a relationship, is it magnified or mitigated by certain characteristics or experiences? It was found that physically abused offenders report higher rates of violent, property and total offending than non abused offenders and that certain experiences can minimise the negative consequences of physical abuse. The paper discusses practical ways that criminogenic consequences of physical child abuse on offending pathways across the life course can be minimised or prevented.
Constructing a sense of self following early sexual experiences with adults: a qualitative research study
Hunter, Sally V
Psychotherapy in Australia v.13 no.4 Aug 2007: 12-21
The aim of this research project was to develop a fuller understanding of the process of constructing a sense of self following early sexual experiences with an adult. Using narrative inquiry, a sample of twenty-two men and women aged twenty-five to seventy were interviewed about their early sexual experiences, at the age of fifteen or under with someone over eighteen. Participants told four different narratives about these experiences: narratives of silence: of ongoing suffering; of transformation: and of transcendence. These four narratives have been examined in the light of the literature relating to childhood sexual abuse, and the victim and survivor discourses. To an extent they challenged current conventional views about child sexual abuse. The implications for therapists working with men and women who have experienced child sexual abuse are discussed
Counselling adult survivors of child sexual abuse
Christiane Sanderson
London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006
This text provides comprehensive coverage of the theory and practice of counselling survivors of child sexual abuse. This third edition contains new material which examines how trauma models explain and describe the impact of CSA, and considers CSA in relation to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma reactions.
Discoveries II: a group work program for women who have experienced child sexual assault
Wright, Lorraine; Stanford, Chrystina; Porteous, Julie; Wightman, Melissa; Efthimiadis, Noula
Haberfield, NSW: Dympna House, 2006, 112p
This manual presents a group therapy program for women who experienced childhood sexual abuse. Each session works towards helping women identify their strengths, reduce their social isolation, and increase their strategies for managing the effects of childhood trauma. This manual outlines the benefits of a supportive group environment, the effect of abuse, techniques for leading groups, and session activities, and includes session hand outs.
Exploring the relationship between poverty, childhood adversity and child abuse from the perspective of adulthood
Frederick, John; Goddard, Chris
Child Abuse Review v.16 no.5 Sept - Oct 2007: 323-341
This article discusses the relationship between early childhood abuse or other adversity and later poverty in adulthood. It reviews risk and protective factors, and family poverty as a risk factor for child abuse, and features results from a study of emergency relief recipients in regional Victoria on their life circumstances, including experience of child abuse, bereavement, family breakdown, foster care, and mental health. The study findings support the ideas of negative chain effects, or pathways into poverty caused by accumulated adversity.
Facilitating transition after child sexual abuse (PDF 1.78 MB)
Van Loon, Antonia M; Kralik, Debbie
Glenside, SA: Royal District Nursing Service of SA, 2005, 212p
A key role for service providers working with women survivors of childhood sexual abuse, particularly those who are homeless or who have drug or alcohol addictions, is to support and facilitate their transition from a disrupted life to a more positive, competent way of living. This resource for service providers is a companion volume to Reclaiming myself after child sexual abuse. It describes the action research project undertaken by the Research Unit of the Royal District Nursing Service of SA with homeless women survivors of childhood sexual abuse to find ways of capacity building that would improve the women's self care. It explains the group work process and provides guidance and resources for facilitators of similar programs.
Finding a place for healing: women survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their experience of accessing services
O'Brien, Louise; Henderson, Corinne; Bateman, Jenna
Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH) v.6 no.2 Jul 2007, 9p
Women survivors of child sexual abuse often suffer difficulties, including a sense of insecurity, a lack of self esteem, difficulty with relationships, poor frustration tolerance, overwhelming emotions, depression, sensitivity to criticism and rejection, distrust, suspicion and a fragile sense of self. They may also experience serious psychological consequences, their life trajectory often marked by chaos and complexity. In Australia, services have been developed to meet the needs of these women. Anecdotal evidence suggests that services may be patchy in both availability and standards. This paper presents findings of the Reframing Responses study of non government services that relate to the experiences of women survivors of child sexual abuse in accessing and utilising services. Fourteen women provided, through focus groups and interviews, descriptions of their experiences of disclosure, accessing services, what was helpful, and what was unhelpful. They confirmed a lack of availability, particularly of longer term counselling, and a lack of consistency in terms of models and standards.
Fragments of home: piecing life together after childhood sexual abuse
Lisbon, Monique
Fairfield, Vic: Braidwood Press, 2008, 163p + 1 CD
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.
Lighting the path: reflections on counselling, young women and sexual assault
Camp Hill, Qld: Zig Zag Young Women's Resource Centre, 2006, 241p
This book explores topics of feminist counselling practice, for counsellors working with young women who have experienced sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse. The chapters are: Introduction, by Marg D'Arcy; 'Girl power' and its implications for work with young women, by Joanne Baker; 'The world is not black or white, or shades of grey. It is many rich colours', by Erica Fernandez and Kirsty Young; Town bikes unite, by Linette Harriott; 'Nasty young madams' or 'poor little buggers': a systematic approach to trauma counselling with challenging young women, by Jenny Dwyer and Robyn Miller; Finding your place: a reconnaissance model for working with young women in a remote Indigenous community, by Hannah Moran; Counselling in the car, by Pam Stein; The silent scream of sexual assault: counselling women in prison with a history of sexual assault, by Deb Kilroy; Making connections in informal settings: the 'drop-in' experience, by Judy Kulisa; Talking about the talking: creating safety in trauma counselling with young women, by Felicity Rousseaux; Changes and challenges in the therapeutic relationship when using an interpreter, by Annabelle Allimant, Beatriz Martinez and Eunice Wong; Reconnecting the threads by challenging the pattern: how overcoming self-blame can set the path to healing, by Claudia Schiek and Jodie Sloan; Art therapy: a creative approach to working with young women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, by Elaine Pollen; Working with young women who self-harm: using externalisation as a tool, by Katie Perry; Crawling through caves: standing tall in the sun: using group work to enhance the hope, resilience and confidence of young women, by Stephanie Blake and Maria Katsikas; Learning to set our own boundaries: adventure based learning with young women survivors, Kate Harrison and Yonna Powell.
Living on an island: consequences of childhood abuse, attachment disruption and adversity in later life
Frederick, John; Goddard, Chris
Child and Family Social Work; Vol. 13, Issue: 3; Aug 2008: 300-310
This paper looks at a group of people who had been subjected to abuse and adversity in childhood and adolescence and their personal and social relationships in later life. Twenty people in a provincial city in Victoria, aged 19-50 and from varying family backgrounds, were interviewed in-depth. The study showed that, as attachment theory suggests, those who experienced abuse and adversity in childhood tended to experience relationship difficulties later in life. A key finding of the study was that the majority of interviewees were estranged from their familes as a result of a breakdown in relationships. The interviewees had very limited social networks and many had unstable or violent personal relationships. It is suggested by the authors that interventions need to be considered which take account of the adverse experiences of children in order to prevent problems compounding. Also comprehensive and accessible support needs to be provided for those dealing with the effects of these experiences later in life.
Looking to a future: a report on research into the outcomes of the Jacaranda Project 2002-2004 group work program for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Davidson, Jane; Delfabbro, Paul H
St Leonards, NSW: Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Service, 2007
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.
Male survivors of sexual assault and rape
Crome, Sarah
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2006, 8p, table (ACSSA wrap no.2)
The sexual abuse of males is underrepresented in sexual abuse literature, statistics and programs. Current research about male survivors of sexual assault and rape is summarised in this paper. The paper discusses definitions, theoretical perspectives, reporting, prevalence and incidence reports, victim characteristics and risk factors, impact on survivors, treatment options, policy initiatives, and service responses and limitations.
Men who were sexually abused in childhood: coping strategies and comparisons in psychological functioning
O'Leary, Patrick J
Child Abuse and Neglect; Vol. 33, Issue: 7; Jul 2009: 471-479
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.
Moment by moment I coped: South Australian women on the subject of childhood sexual abuse (PDF 873 KB)
Birchmore, Kristina
North Adelaide, SA: Women's Health Statewide, 2005, 65p
31 South Australian women participated in this research into the long term effects of childhood sexual abuse. The report records and discusses their accounts of the impact of the abuse and the coping strategies they have employed and includes a description of the research methodology and a literature review.
Moving on after child sexual abuse (PDF 9.7 MB)
Van Loon, Antonia and Kralik, Debbie
Wayville, SA: RDNS Research Unit, 2008
This book contains inspiring stories 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.
Promoting capacity with homeless women survivors of child sexual abuse misusing alcohol, drugs or gambling: final report (PDF 674 KB)
Van Loon, Antonia
Glenside, SA: Royal District Nursing Service of SA, 2005, 115p
Over 93 per cent of homeless women at Catherine House in Adelaide reported childhood sexual abuse, with some attributing their use of drugs, alcohol and gambling to efforts to overcome the trauma of sexual abuse. The aim of this study was to promote the capacity of these women to generate personal resources that would enable them to manage the transition to independent living, and to achieve a healthier, life affirming future. The study employed a participatory action research approach. One of the outcomes was the writing of a book, 'Reclaiming myself after sexual abuse', to explain the group process and help other sexual abuse survivors.
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy after child abuse: the treatment of adults and children who have experienced sexual abuse, violence, and neglect in childhood
McQueen, Daniel
London: Karnac, 2008
This book is a 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. The 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.
Reclaiming myself after child sexual abuse (PDF 2.32 MB)
Van Loon, Antonia M; Kralik, Debbie
Glenside, SA: Royal District Nursing Service of SA, 2005, 197p
An action research project was undertaken by the Research Unit of the Royal District Nursing Service of SA with homeless women survivors of childhood sexual abuse to find ways of capacity building that would improve the women's self care. This book is an outcome of the project. The decision to write it was made by the participants of the study, to explain the healing process to other sexual abuse survivors and to provide guidance and resources so that they can undertake the process themselves.
Respond SA, for adult victim/survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Sloan, Jodie; Suchting, Mailin
Aware: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault Newsletter no.11 May 2006: 27-34
Respond SA is a new service for adult survivors of childhood sexual assault. In this interview, the manager of Respond SA and a manager at Relationships Australia discuss: the establishment of Respond SA and its key aims and objectives; the service delivery frameworks and models that were used in the development of Respond SA; why survivors of childhood sexual abuse have been under served; the specific needs of adult survivors; whether Respond SA could be modelled in other areas of Australia; the research that is needed concerning the effects of childhood sexual abuse; the services that Respond SA offers; Respond SA's participation in the workforce development of staff in other agencies; the evaluation of Respond SA; and the success of Respond SA so far.
Responses to sibling sexual abuse: as harmful as the abuse itself (PDF 217 KB)
Women's Health Statewide
North Adelaide, SA: Women's Health Statewide, 2005, 27p
There is increasing awareness of the difficulties faced by both children and adults in disclosing childhood sexual abuse, but less is known about the impact of disclosing sexual abuse by siblings. In this study 19 women participated in focus group sessions, and the data drawn from the sessions were analysed for metaphors and themes reflecting popular discourses about sibling sexual abuse. The focus of the study was on the impact of the attitudes and responses rather than the impact of the abuse itself. The findings highlight the oppressive and harmful impact of many discourses.
Sexual abuse in childhood and sexual dysfunction in adulthood: an Australian population-based study
Najman, Jake M; Dunne, Michael P; Purdie, David M; Boyle, Francis M; Coxeter, Peter D
Archives of Sexual Behavior v.34 no.5 Oct 2005: 517-526
Self reported sexual functioning in individuals reporting a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) was examined in this study. The study used a representative sample of the Australian population, selecting 1793 people between the ages of 18 and 59 from all states and territories. Approximately one third of women and one sixth of men reported unwanted sexual experiences before the age of 16. The study showed a significant association between CSA and symptoms of sexual dysfunction for both men and women. The results show that CSA is common in the Australian population and contributes to impairment in the sexual functioning of adults, particularly women.
Stolen tomorrows: understanding and treating women's childhood sexual abuse
Levenkron, Steve and Levenkron, Abby
New York: W.W. Norton, 2007
Through over a dozen case studies, the author relates various kinds of abuse, from one-time incidents with strangers to recurring abuse at the hands of close relatives; the different psychological manifestations of the abuses later in life, including psychological disorders and destructive behaviors such as anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and self-mutilation; and the variety of approaches he and his patients used to face up to the reality of the abuse and overcome it. The second half of the book contains general conclusions and explains the relationship between the initial abuse and the problem that brings the patient to therapy later in life. The preparations therapists need to make when dealing with a victim of childhood abuse are outlined, and guidance is given on the stages of therapy that may be necessary.