Risk Factors and Services to Reduce Child Sexual Abuse Recurrence

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with a range of negative consequences for victims that are compounded when it recurs. We used the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System to study a cohort of 42,036 children in 45 U.S. states with sexual abuse reports first confirmed by child protective services (CPS) during 2010 in order to identify children with increased risk for recurrence. A small proportion (3.6%) had a second confirmed sexual abuse report through 2015. In multivariate models, female gender, family hearing and vision problems, other child maltreatment, and other family violence were associated with increased risk of recurrence, while younger children, Hispanic families, and those with substance abuse tended to have less risk. One fourth of recurrence involved the same offender, usually a parent or caretaker. One fourth of cases were referred for any CPS services, which were more likely to be provided for families with poverty, drug or alcohol problems, or other violence. Only substance abuse services significantly reduced recurrence in multivariable models. Those trying to reduce CSA recurrence should recognize that certain case characteristics are associated with greater recurrence, and most CPS services do not significantly reduce CSA recurrence.

Child Sexual Abuse and Risk of Revictimization: Impact of Child Demographics, Sexual Abuse Characteristics, and Psychiatric Disorders

“…Victim sex was an independent predictor of each type of revictimization, with moderate effect sizes; sexually abused girls were at heightened risk for sexual revictimization, whereas sexually abused boys were at heightened risk for both violence and non-violence revictimization. This is consistent with the evidence base on risk factors for sexual and violent victimization in general, as well as with studies examining predictors of revictimization following abuse (DeCamp & Zaykowski, 2015; Palusci & Ilardi, 2019; Pittenger et al, 2018). It is possible that the magnitude of the difference between abused males and females in rates of sexual revictimizationis influenced by males disclosing experiences of sexual assault less frequently than females, perhaps due to concerns of being labeled homosexual, masculine ideals of self-reliance, erroneous assumptions that such experiences are a normative part of boys’ lives, and expectations that others may minimize their experiences (Alaggia, 2004; Pittenger et al, 2018; Spataro et al, 2001).…”

“…Some studies have found that individuals experiencing sexual revictimization report being younger at the time of their initial sexual abuse compared to individuals not revictimized (Casey & Nurius, 2005; Jenkins et al, 2018; Pittenger et al, 2018). Others have shown that CSA occurring during adolescence is associated with increased risk of revictimization (Humphrey & White, 2000; Palusci & Ilardi, 2019; Siegel & Williams, 2003), and others still have found no effect of age (Jankowski et al, 2002; Maker et al, 2001). Previous research has also found that indicators of initial abuse severity (e.g., more invasive, frequent, and chronic abuse, the use of force, an intra-familial perpetrator) are related to revictimization both during adolescence and adulthood (e.g., Casey & Nurius, 2005; Fortier et al, 2009; Humphrey & White, 2000; Matta Oshima et al, 2014; Simmel et al, 2012; Swanston et al, 2002).…”

Child Sexual Abuse Recurrence: A Narrative Review

“…Additionally, findings were mixed or inconclusive regarding select characteristics of the child, family, and community/social systems. 20,22 • Sexual and high-risk behavior 17 • Gender 20,23 Mixed or inconclusive findings • Age 20,22,23 • Race and ethnicity 20,23,24 • Disability 22-24 Characteristics of the maltreatment Risk factors • Perpetrator being the mother's significant other or the victim's babysitter 18 • The sexual abuse occurring in a familiar place 18 • Prior emotional abuse 16 • Severity of initial sexual abuse 16,25 Family Risk factors…”

“…• Parent history of sexual abuse or mental health concerns 22 • Domestic violence 20,22,23 • Family hearing and vision problems 23 • The presence of a non-caregiver adult in the house 20 • Changes in the child's caregivers 16 Protective factors • Identified family social supports 22 • Parent believing the child's initial victimization occurred 22 Mixed or inconclusive findings • Family substance abuse 22,23 • Family socioeconomic status 22,24 Community/social systems Risk factors • Active or prior child welfare involvement 17,22 • Prior law enforcement involvement 22 • Receiving mental health treatment 20 Mixed or inconclusive findings • Neighborhood socioeconomic status 20,26 • Services received from Child Protective Services 23,24…”

Where We’ve Been and May Go, Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

“…Like the field, my early work looked at medical and forensic issues in physical and sexual abuse, but I now use epidemiology and administrative data to study diagnosis, reporting, recurrence, fatality, and prevention (American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, 2010; Bearup & Palusci, 1999; Greiner et al, 2013; Kennedy et al, 2020; Palusci et al, 2019; Palusci et al, 2001; Palusci & Ilardi, 2020; Palusci & Ondersma, 2012; Palusci & Reeves, 2003; Palusci et al, 2016; Roygardner et al, 2020). We will also need to pay attention to new technology and other emerging areas (Siegel & Palusci, 2019).…”