Ten-Year Research Update Review: Child Sexual Abuse

ABSTRACT 

Objective

To provide clinicians with current information on prevalence, risk factors, outcomes, treatment, and prevention of child sexual abuse (CSA). To examine the best-documented examples of psychopathology attributable to CSA.

Method

Computer literature searches of Medline and PSYCInfo for key words. All English-language articles published after 1989 containing empirical data pertaining to CSA were reviewed.

Results

CSA constitutes approximately 10% of officially substantiated child maltreatment cases, numbering approximately 88,000 in 2000. Adjusted prevalence rates are 16.8% and 7.9% for adult women and men, respectively. Risk factors include gender, age, disabilities, and parental dysfunction. A range of symptoms and disorders has been associated with CSA, but depression in adults and sexualized behaviors in children are the best-documented outcomes. To date, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) of the child and a nonoffending parent is the most effective treatment. Prevention efforts have focused on child education to increase awareness and home visitation to decrease risk factors.

Conclusions

CSA is a significant risk factor for psychopathology, especially depression and substance abuse. Preliminary research indicates that CBT is effective for some symptoms, but longitudinal follow-up and large-scale “effectiveness” studies are needed. Prevention programs have promise, but evaluations to date are limited.

Key Words:  sexual abuse , child abuse , prevention , depression , sexualized behavior