Obfuscating Child Sexual Abuse II: Listening to Survivors

Abstract

The reality of the extent and experience of child sexual abuse cannot be revealed while children are unable to`stand up and be counted'. Limited alternatives, lack of information and dependence on adults prevent the true scale of the problem being appreciated. Similarly, media and legal treatment of abused children also operate to suppress the truth. The expertise and knowledge of those who have suered abuse need to be acknowledged and utilized in order that child sexual abuse can no longer be obfuscated.

An overwhelming sense of injustice? An exploration of child sexual abuse in relation to the concept of justice

“…Many paedophile typologies are derived from convicted abusers but most abusers are unreported or unconvicted (Taylor-Browne, 1997;Parton and Wattam, 1998). Non-clinical samples of abusers and of college students and child care workers, show difficulties differentiating abusers from other 'normal' men (Howitt, 1998;Freel, 2003).…”

“…Although it may be normal practice for defence lawyers to refer to cross-examination as 'raping', 'destroying' and 'humiliating' the witness, with adults (Pierce, 1996), with children this negates 'Achieving Best Evidence'. It may also mimic the power dynamics of the original abuse, further distressing them (Taylor-Browne, 1997;Westcott and Page, 2002). Children are also not necessarily allowed to see their videotaped interview before cross-examination, although adults are largely able to see their written statements.…”

“…Perpetrators are continually excused both by the media and in judicial proceedings, rapists and child abusers are more likely to deny their crimes than other criminals and children have been found to rarely lie about CSA. Some professionals are, however, reluctant to see the offender's behaviour as intentional, despite offenders explicitly admitting to grooming and targeting techniques (Elliot et al, 1995;Taylor-Browne, 1997). Even when successful prosecutions are brought, most offenders in UK jails are not offered rehabilitation programmes (Grubin, 1999) and funding for community based programmes is being steadily reduced (Travis, 2002).…”

“…Emerging claims assert that the victimological and psychopathological stance adopted to CSA has stigmatized and disempowered some survivors, particularly women (Scott, 2001;Armstrong, 1996) and that the male dominated 'child abuse industry' manufactures victims (Dineen, 1998;Taylor-Browne, 1997). These arguments, unfortunately have been cleverly misrepresented and cited as evidence on 'pro adult/child sex' Web sites (e.g.…”

The Effects of Offender Age and Offender-Victim Relationship on Modus Operandi Strategies to Lure the Victim

“…Concern has been raised regarding these programs both in terms of the potential for "victim blaming" and the logic associated with "pitting" child victims against adult and older teen offenders. Especially in the context of CSA, victims are typically much smaller in size than their offender, rarely have the physical ability to resist, typically lack the cognitive ability to understand what is happening, and may be confused about the harm associated with CSA (Johnson, 2004;Taylor-Browne, 1997). In no other context does society expect children to be responsible for their own safety (Renk et al, 2002).…”