The treatment of sexually abused children

Abstract

A model of cognitive—behavioral treatment for sexually abused children is presented. A brief review describes the definition, prevalence, and effects of child sexual abuse as well as the treatment outcome literature in this field. A treatment model is presented that includes the following therapeutic components: gradually encouraging the child to think and talk about the abuse; helping child and parent cope with emotions surrounding the abuse; helping parents better manage their child's behavior; and education regarding child sexual abuse, healthy sexuality, and personal safety skills. A case example is presented involving a 10‐year‐old girl who was sexually abused by a paternal uncle. The case depicts how the child's symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety were successfully treated through individual sessions with the child and her mother as well as joint sessions that allowed the mother to serve as a therapeutic resource and support for her child. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Posttraumatische Belastungsstörung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen

“…Ein traumatisches Ereignis wird dabei nach ICD-10 als kurz-oder langanhal-tendes Ereignis oder Geschehen von außergewöhnlicher Bedrohung oder mit katastrophalem Ausmaß definiert, das nahezu bei jedem tiefgreifende Verzweiflung auslösen würde (ICD- 10,1991). Häufig werden diese Ereignisse als Typ-I-(kurzdauernd) oder II-Traumata (langdauernd, sich wiederholend) klassifiziert.…”

“…mit dem Ergebnis, dass EMDR und KVT gleich wirksam sind, wenn in der EMDR-Intervention eine In-vivo-Exposition enthalten war. Die NET wurde und es aus diesem Grund schwierig finden, über das Erlebte und ihre psychische Belastung zu sprechen[10,32].Probleme bereitet die Diagnostik von Traumatisierung in der frühen Kindheit. Zwar gibt es empirische Belege für das nonverbale Erinnern bezogen auf traumatische Ereignisse vor dem Alter von zwei Jahren, aber die frühesten verbal zugänglichen autobiografischen Erinnerungen findet man im Schnitt erst für das Alter ab etwa drei Jahren und in fragmentarischer Weise[33].…”

Cognitive‐Behavioural Interventions for Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused: A Systematic Review

“…Cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions for children who have been sexually abused are typically short‐term structured interventions of around 12 sessions, though they can extend upwards to 40 sessions depending on need and case complexity (Deblinger 1996a). The intervention is tailored to the developmental age and symptomatology of individual children, so a fully prescribed programme does not exist.…”

Trauma-focused cognitive–behavioral therapy for children and adolescents.

“…Prior to publication of the manual Treating Trauma and Traumatic Grief in Children and Adolescents , a number of early iterations of TF-CBT existed. The initial treatment model was developed specifically to address the needs of sexually abused children and their nonoffending caregivers (Cohen & Mannarino, 1993, 1996Deblinger & Heflin, 1996) through cognitive-behavioral interventions. Whereas early work by Mannarino (1993, 1996) focused on family relationship factors and the development of self-efficacy through cognitive intervention, Deblinger and Heflin (1996) focused on exposure-based work, through the writing of an account of the abuse and in vivo exposure exercises.…”

“…The initial treatment model was developed specifically to address the needs of sexually abused children and their nonoffending caregivers (Cohen & Mannarino, 1993, 1996Deblinger & Heflin, 1996) through cognitive-behavioral interventions. Whereas early work by Mannarino (1993, 1996) focused on family relationship factors and the development of self-efficacy through cognitive intervention, Deblinger and Heflin (1996) focused on exposure-based work, through the writing of an account of the abuse and in vivo exposure exercises. These two treatment approaches were merged in 1997, and the treatment manual was available from the developers and online for a number of years prior to publication (Cary & McMillen, 2012).…”