Journal of Child Sexual Abuse最新文献

Women with multi-gender attractions (i.e. bisexual+ women) experience alarmingly high rates of sexual violence (SV), which puts women at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bisexual+ women experience higher rates of PTSD compared to heterosexual and lesbian/gay people. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a widely used self-report measure of PTSD symptoms. We conducted an item response theory (IRT) analysis to evaluate the item difficulty and discrimination of PCL-5 items in assessing PTSD symptoms related to adult SV among young bisexual+ women. We combined two samples of women: sample 1 participants were recruited via MTurk (N = 267; Mage = 25.9, range 18-35; 82.4% White) and sample 2 participants recruited via online ads (N = 133; Mage = 22.0, range 18-25, 85.0% White). Item difficulty and discrimination was evaluated using IRT with a graded response model. At clinically significant levels of PTSD, the most discriminating items were: flashbacks, nightmares, reckless behavior, inability to experience positive emotions, and intrusive memories, whereas the least discriminating items were: internal avoidance, hypervigilance, difficulty with sleep, external avoidance, and exaggerated startle response. The most difficult items were: reckless behavior, flashbacks, traumatic amnesia, nightmares, and irritability, whereas the least difficult items were: internal avoidance, cued emotional distress, external avoidance, hypervigilance, and strong negative emotions. Results suggest that symptoms related to flashbacks, nightmares, and reckless behavior are important for assessing clinically significant SV-related PTSD symptoms among young bisexual+ women, whereas symptoms related to internal and external avoidance and hypervigilance may be relatively less informative.

The sexual double standard (SDS) refers to the differential judgment of men and women for identical sexual behaviors and has been linked to gendered sexual norms, relational expectations, and coercive dynamics. Sexual coercion, therein defined as the use of pressure, manipulation, or force to obtain unwanted sexual activity, remains a pervasive problem with significant psychological and relational consequences. Prior research suggests an overlap between victimization and perpetration, but less is known about how SDS beliefs may contribute to this cycle or whether pathways differ by gender. This study examined the relationships between SDS, sexual coercion victimization, and perpetration in an adult, heterosexual, non-student Portuguese sample (N = 351). Using moderation and conditional mediation analyses, results showed that SDS did not directly predict perpetration, but victimization mediated this relationship, explaining 52.2% of the variance in perpetration. Gender moderated this pathway: victimization more strongly predicted perpetration for men than for women. The relational norms dimension of SDS also operated differently between them - indirectly through victimization in women, but directly in men. These findings underscore the importance of considering gendered mechanisms in the victim - perpetrator cycle and highlight relational norms as a key target for interventions addressing coercive sexual behaviors.

Adolescents involved in sex trafficking may not engage in help-seeking behavior due to fear, stigma, and lack of awareness about available resources. Likewise, professionals interacting with these youth may have little guidance on how to identify risk or respond when trafficking concerns are detected. This study describes the development, feasibility, acceptability, utility, and outcomes of the See It to Stop It Indicator (SITSII) tool for middle school staff (MSS), developed as part of a Cluster Randomized Control Trial of a bystander intervention, to prevent child sex trafficking (CST) in students. The SITSII contains 17 items categorized into three tiers of concern (Probable Concern Tier 3; Potential Concern Tier 2; Emerging Concern Tier 1) that map onto bystander actions based on a risk stratification model. Mixed-method data from 63 MSS were analyzed to determine screening outcomes, intentions to act, barriers to action, and assessments of feasibility, acceptability, and utility. Outcomes indicate that running away (Tier 3) and truancy (Tier 2), followed by a history of child maltreatment (Tier 2), were the most prevalent student behaviors, while 21% had no identifiable risk factors. This suggests a lack of bias toward over- or under-identification. Users rated the acceptability and utility of the tool favorably, and 91.5% endorsed confidence in taking the recommended bystander actions. The SITSII establishes a continuum of risk factors for CST that map onto actionable items. There is evidence of successful SITSII implementation as well as enhanced confidence in intent-to-act to protect identified students.

Sexual assault (SA) is a significant problem among college women. Black college women engage in some of the most common SA risk behaviors (e.g. alcohol use, hookups) less frequently than White women yet experience SA at similar rates. A better understanding of Black college women's SA risk is needed. This three-phase (P1-P3) study (P1 and P2 focus groups and P3 feedback interviews), was designed to address this objective. P1 (N = 4) was conducted to determine culturally appropriate tone and content for P2 groups. P2 participants (N = 27), were queried about perceptions of specific SA risks for Black college women, and later (P3) provided feedback on how investigators had summarized these findings. P2 thematic analysis revealed themes both consistent with and distinct from prior college SA literature. Specifically, like White women, Black college women report risks around alcohol use and hookups. Dissimilarly, they emphasized pressures - both internal and external - in committed sexual relationships and described experiences of racialized objectification and perceived hypersexuality. Findings highlight racialized ways that men sexually objectify and pressure Black college women to engage in sexual activities, as well as women's internal struggles regarding sexual decisions. The extensive nature of risk factors Black college women report illustrates a complex and potentially unique landscape of SA risk.

The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is confirmed across all racial and ethnic identities, socioeconomic statuses, geographic regions, and backgrounds, underscoring a need for greater general awareness of the crime and the many trajectories of abuse it may encompass. CSEC prevention programs are one suggested method of averting initial or re-victimization of particularly vulnerable children and youth, as well as providing youth who have been exposed to CSEC with needed supports and resources. The current study asked 28 youth (ages 15-18) who had recently participated in the Not a Number (NAN) CSEC prevention education program their perspectives on the most memorable and/or valuable pieces of CSEC prevention programing. Focus groups were held with 28 youths across four focus groups at four sites - two in Texas, and two in Minnesota. Qualitative coding revealed 3 main components of CSEC prevention programming that youth found most valuable: (1) relatability and relevance of curriculum, (b) the importance of digital safety, and (c) engaging and interactive pedagogies. The attributes of program delivery identified as valuable in the study provide insight into the experiences of youth who have participated in CSEC prevention programming, and future programming needs and considerations for program developers aiming to deliver CSEC primary prevention programming to children and youth. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Children who experience childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and their non-offending family members are frequently referred to Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) for multisector service coordination and evidence-based treatments. Little is known about how interactions with the CAC model impact healing after CSA from a socioecological context (child, parent/caregiver, family). This qualitative study explored facilitators and barriers to healing after CSA within a socioecological context among families that received care at an urban Midwestern CAC. Semi-structured interviews (n = 15) were conducted with parents of children who experienced CSA and received services at the CCAC. Data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six phase method of thematic analysis and a family-centered adaptation of the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework. Findings reflected three main themes: healing, facilitators and barriers, and opportunities for CACs to promote healing after CSA. In conclusion, CAC-based interventions that incorporate a socioecological approach and community-engaged perspectives may reduce barriers to care and promote healing after CSA for children, parents, and families.

Bystanders are most frequently present prior to a sexual assault, wherein it is possible that bystanders witness sexual harassment (e.g. sexist jokes, unwanted touching). The relationship between the victim and the sex of the victim can impact bystander intervention during sexual violence. As such, the present study examines how the presence of certain types of bystanders (e.g. friends) during sexual harassment influences the likelihood of bystander intervention, and whether the gender of the victim moderates this relationship. Participants included 724 college students (78.9% female; 82.9% White; 89.4% heterosexual) ages 18 to 24 (Mage = 18.97, SDage = 1.12) who reported at least one experience of sexual harassment, the presence of a witness during sexual harassment, and indicated whether a bystander intervened. Two binomial linear regressions were conducted. Friends were less likely to intervene than roommates or family, but more likely than acquaintances or strangers. Although gender moderation was not supported, male victims reported that bystanders were less likely to intervene compared to bystanders of female victims. Consistent with previous work, the odds of bystander intervention are significantly related to the context in which sexual harassment occurs. Family members and roommates may feel a stronger sense of responsibility to intervene due to their closeness to the victim compared to other bystander types. Men who experienced sexual harassment were less likely to report bystander intervention during sexual harassment than women, which suggests barriers to helping behavior. Implications for bystander programming, clinical work, and future research are discussed.

Women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and/or adolescent-adult sexual assault (ASA) can have different trauma-related symptom presentations in early adulthood, but the role of coping resources in mitigating victimization-related distress is understudied. Thus, the present study examined women with sexual victimization histories by developmental period (CSA-only, ASA-only, or CSA + ASA) and the role that mindfulness and emotion regulation play as coping resources that may buffer against post-traumatic stress. Participants were 247 cisgender community women aged 21-30 recruited for a larger study on high-risk drinking and sexual behaviors. Negative binomial regression models revealed significant differences in PTSS severity by victimization pattern: CSA + ASA was associated with the greatest PTSS severity, followed by ASA-only, and CSA-only reporting the lowest severity. Though no buffering effects were found, emotion regulation and mindfulness were directly associated with lower PTSS severity across all victimization patterns. Results indicate the need for targeted interventions for those who have experienced both CSA and ASA. Findings also suggest that improving mindfulness and emotion regulation may be beneficial, though not sufficient, for recovery following sexual victimization regardless of victimization pattern. Future interventions could prioritize increasing coping resources to reduce distress for victim-survivors of sexual victimization.

This study investigates the relationships between childhood sexual abuse (CSA), self-injurious thoughts, and behaviors within a sample exhibiting diverse identity statuses. Despite no significant correlations between identity statuses and CSA, self-injurious thoughts and behaviors were prevalent, with notable incidences in the Undefined and Arrested Moratorium statuses. The functions and triggers of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors have been analyzed, identifying significant associations with emotional states and family dynamics. Findings suggest a cyclical relationship between negative emotional states and self-harm, as illustrated by the Emotional Cascades Model. Limitations include sample size and gender representativeness, highlighting the need for further research to explore these dynamics more comprehensively, particularly regarding the role of identity and emotional regulation.

Harmful sexual behavior (HSB) is associated with significant risks and long-term adverse impacts. For children and young people who have displayed HSB, promoting safety and wellbeing across developmental timeframes is critical. Although substantial knowledge and guidance exists on risk assessment and safety management, there is limited guidance on how to develop detailed safety plans within out-of-home care (OOHC) contexts. This scoping review aimed to inform the development of short- and long-term safety plans for children and young people in OOHC following HSB. Sixteen peer-reviewed papers and practice or policy guides exploring HSB in the OOHC context that included commentary on safety were reviewed. Although the search strategy spanned multiple countries, most of the eligible studies were from the United Kingdom (UK), Scotland, and Australia. A reflexive thematic approach identified three main themes: enhancing acute short-term safety, enhancing long-term safety and building strengths, and key principles/processes to consider for safety planning. Findings highlight multiple domains relevant to safety planning, including interpersonal relationships, cultural connection, social media use, and placement dynamics. The results indicate that safety planning should be collaborative and involve children and young people. The literature further emphasized the importance of relational, organizational and systemic context alongside individual behavior. While this review identifies core considerations for safety planning following HSB in OOHC, geographical limitations should be considered when applying the findings to other international settings. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of safety planning approaches and their contribution to safety and wellbeing over time.