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Cited by 376Child Abuse and TraumaSexual Assault and Victimization StudiesMilitary, Security, and Education Studies

Child sexual abuse, links to later sexual exploitation/high-risk sexual behavior, and prevention/treatment programs.

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Lalor, Kevin, McElvaney, Rosaleen·2010·Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
DOI 10.1177/1524838010378299
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Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on the nature and incidence of child sexual abuse, explores the link between child sexual abuse and later sexual exploitation, and reviews the literature on prevention strategies and effective interventions in child sexual abuse services. Our understanding of the international epidemiology of child sexual abuse is considerably greater than it was just 10 years ago, and studies from around the world are examined. Childhood sexual abuse can involve a wide number of psychological sequelae, including low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Numerous studies have noted that child sexual abuse victims are vulnerable to later sexual revictimization, as well as the link between child sexual abuse and later engagement in high-risk sexual behaviour. Survivors of child sexual abuse are more likely to have multiple sex partners, become pregnant as teenagers, and experience sexual assault as adults. Various models which attempt to account for this inter-relationship are presented; most invoke mediating variables such as low self-esteem, drug/alcohol use, PTSD and distorted sexual development. Prevention strategies for child sexual abuse are examined including media campaigns, school-based prevention programmes, and therapy with abusers. The results of a number of meta-analyses are examined. However, researchers have identified significant methodological limitations in the extant research literature that impede the making of recommendations for implementing existing therapeutic programmes unreservedly.

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  • Children who are survivors of sexual assault or abuse are at increased risk for future unsafe sexual practices that have been linked to higher risk for HPV acquisition and are more likely to engage in these behaviors at an earlier age.

    “Children who are survivors of sexual assault or abuse are at increased risk for future unsafe sexual practices that have been linked to higher risk for HPV acquisition (1426,1453) and are more likely to engage in these behaviors at an earlier age; therefore, ACIP recommends vaccination of these children at age ≥9 years if they have not initiated or completed HPV vaccination (see Human Papillomavir”

    From Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (2021) · cites this paper as [1453]

    The Conclusion (page unavailable) links childhood sexual abuse to later high-risk sexual behavior, including early intercourse, multiple partners, and unprotected sex. The high-risk sexual behavior section (page unavailable) also reports earlier first intercourse among those with abuse histories. The paper discusses sexually transmitted diseases generally, but our copy does not specifically link these behaviors to HPV acquisition. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Research works printed but not linked: 13

  1. Carr, A. (2007). The effectiveness of psychotherapy: A review of research. Dublin: Irish Council of Psychotherapy.
  2. Chalk, R., & King, P. (1998). Assessing family violence interventions. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14, 4, 289-292.
  3. Collings, S.J. (1997). Child sexual abuse in a sample of South African women students: prevalence, characteristics, and long-term effects. South African Journal of Psychology, 27(1), 37-42.
  4. Finkelhor, D. (2008). Lessons from the decline in sexual abuse. Paper presented at the St. Clare's Unit & St. Louise's Unit Joint Annual Conference, Dublin.
  5. Home Office (2002). Achieving best evidence in criminal proceedings: Guidance for vulnerable or intimidated witnesses, including children. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
  6. Kazarian, S. S., & Kazarian, L. Z. (1998). Cultural aspects of family violence In S. S. Kazarian & D. R. Evan (Eds.), Cultural clinical psychology: Theory, research and practice (pp. 316-347). Oxford: Oxford Press.
  7. Kendall-Tackett, Williams & Finkelhor (1993). Impact of sexual abuse on children: A review and synthesis of the literature. Psychological Bulletin, 113, 164-180
  8. Kennedy, E. (2004). Child and adolescent psychotherapy: A systematic review of psychoanalytic approaches. London: North Central London, NHS Strategic Health Authority.
  9. Masson, J. (1992, 3 rd edition). The assault on truth: Freud and child sexual abuse. London: Fontana
  10. McGee, H., Garavan, R., de Barra, M., Byrne, J., & Conroy, R. (2002). The SAVI Report: Sexual abuse and violence in Ireland -a national study of Irish experiences, beliefs and attitudes concerning sexual violence. Dublin: The Liffey Press & Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
  11. O'Reilly, G., Carr, A., Marshall, W.L. & Beckett, R.C. (2004). Handbook of clinical interventions with juvenile sex offenders. London: Taylor and Francis Ltd.
  12. Toukmanian, S.G. & Brouwers, M.C. (1998). Cultural aspects of self-disclosure and psychotherapy. In S.S. Kazarian & D.R. Evans (Eds.), Cultural clinical psychology: Theory, research and practice (pp. 106-126). New York: Oxford University Press.
  13. Tricket, P. K. (1997). Sexual and physical abuse and the development of social competence. In S. S. Luthar, J. A. Burack, D. Cicchetti & J. R. Weisz (Eds.), Developmental psychopathology: Perspectives on adjustment, risk and danger New York: Cambridge University Press.

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Authors
Lalor, K., & McElvaney, R.
Affiliations
Dublin Institute of Technology (IE)
Corresponding author
Lalor, Kevin
ORCID
Venue
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2010-08-02
Volume
11
Issue
4
Pages
159-177
ISSN
  • 1524-8380 (ISSN-L)
  • 1552-8324
DOI
10.1177/1524838010378299
OpenAlex
W2108887945
Cited by
376
References
214
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 16
FWCI
2.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Trauma Violence & Abuse (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Arrow - TU Dublin (Technological University Dublin) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Technological University Dublin
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Military, Security, and Education Studies
Keywords
child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual risk behavior, revictimization, self-esteem, adolescent pregnancy, sexual assault, prevention programs, therapeutic interventions, media campaigns, school-based prevention, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug use, sexual development
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety Disorders, Child, Child Abuse, Sexual, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Mental Health, Primary Prevention, Risk Factors, Self Concept, Sexual Behavior, Social Adjustment, Spouse Abuse, Stress, Psychological, Survivors, Crime Victims, Adult Survivors of Child Abuse

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