SEKSUELLE OVERGREB MOD BØRN: PSYKISKE SKADEVIRKNINGER OG PSYKOLOGISK BEHANDLING

Abstract

Empirical studies show that sexually abused children have more symptoms than non-abused children. Fears, posttraumatic stress, behaviour problems and sexualized behaviours occur most frequently, but no one specific syndrome or symptom characterizes the majority of sexually abused children. Approximately one third of victims have no symptoms. Several factors seem to mediate the development of psychopathology following child sexual abuse: Penetration, the duration and frequency of the abuse, coercion, the relationship of the perpetrator to the victim and parental support all affect the degree of symptomatology. Therapy seems to facilitate recovery, but it is not established whether the therapeutic gains are due to the effects of therapy or due to spontaneous recovery processes. Most of the therapeutic interventions recommended for sexually abused children are trauma-focused and include some degree
of direct discussion of the abuse experience.