Chart 4

An Integrated Model of the Casual Factors of Sexual Abuse

PREREQUISITE FACTORS

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CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

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SEX ABUSE*

Sexual Arousal to children and Propensity to act on arousal

Culture Culture of male dominance Values re: male sexuality and female roles Family Marital discord Sexual dysfunction in marriage Unprotective mother "Seductive" child Environment Social isolation Unsupervised access to children Unemployment Personality Alcoholism/substance abuse Poor social skills Low self-esteem Past history Traumatic sexual experience as a child Sexually abusive role models Nonnurturing childhood

*Since the vast majority of offenders are male, the model assumes a male offender.