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Child Sexual Abuse: Intervention and Treatment Issues
User Manual Series (1993)

Author(s):  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Faller

Year Published:  1993

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You are in section: Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 - Working In The Field Of Child… 2 - Definitions, Scope, and Effects… 3 - Indicators of Child Sexual… 4 - Investigation of Child Sexual… 5 - Techniques For The Child… 6 - Treatment Of Child Sexual… Conclusion Glossary Of Terms Notes Selected Bibliography Other Resources Appendix A - Child Sexual… Appendix B - Risk Assessment… Appendix C - A Continuum of… Appendix D - Guidelines for…

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Glossary Of Terms

Analingus – licking, kissing, sucking the anal opening.

Backlash – literally a quick, sharp, recoil; but used figuratively to characterize an opposing reaction to a previous trend; the term used for the current high degree of skepticism found in some circles regarding the truth of allegations of sexual abuse.

Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome – behavioral and emotional manifestations of victims' coping with sexual abuse (these include secrecy; helplessness; entrapment and accommodation; delayed, unconvincing disclosure; and retraction); first described by Roland Summit, M.D.

Cognitive Distortions – thinking errors; term used to describe how some offenders rationalize their sexually abusive behavior.

Colposcope – an instrument originally designed for examining the cervix and vagina, using a magnifying lens from 5X to 30X; now being used to examine the external genitalia and document evidence of sexual abuse, often having photographic capability.

Countertransference – the conscious or unconscious reaction of the professional to the client. These reactions can interfere with the process of treatment or other intervention.

Cunnilingus – licking, kissing, biting, or sucking the vagina; inserting tongue into the vaginal opening.

Damaged Goods Syndrome – the negative sense of self and perception of their bodies experienced by victims of sexual abuse; term first used by Suzanne Sgroi, M.D.

Encopresis – inability to control bowel movements.

Enuresis – inability to control urination, especially during sleep.

Erythema – redness and swelling of tissues.

Fellatio – kissing, licking, biting, sucking the penis.

Forchette – refers to the posterior forchette of the female genitalia, where the labia majora join.

Friability – fragility of the hymen resulting in a small fissure or fissures, usually at the posterior forchette.

Frottage – rubbing the genitals against a person's body or clothing.

Funneling – anal opening has a hollow channel and is deep-set; this is a consequence of repeated anal penetration and is found in older children (and adults).

Hysteria – a psychological disturbance, arising from trauma, that manifests itself in physical impairment, such as paralysis, blindness, deafness, or anesthesia.

Iatrogensis – illness or pathology caused by the treatment or other intervention intended to ameliorate a preceding problem.

Labial Adhesion – a fibrous band of tissue holding together the labia minora; these occur as a consequence of irritation.

Otoscope – an instrument originally used to examine the ear, using magnification; now also being used in genital exams for sexual abuse.

Paraphilia – aberrant or deviant sexual preference.

Pedophile – an adult whose primary sexual interest is in children; some professionals make a differentiation between a pedophile, whose sexual partner of choice is a prepubertal child, and a hebephile, who is aroused by adolescents.

Perianal Venous Engorgement – a congestion of the blood vessels around the anus.

Petechiae – pinpoint bruises, caused by sucking or pressure.

Plethysmograph or Penile Plethysmograph – a gauge that is attached to the penis and systematically records erectile response.

Psychopath – an individual with no superego or conscience; because of this deficit, the person often engages in extensive antisocial behavior.

Reflex Anal Dilatation – opening of the anus after stimulation.

Sexual Addict – an individual, with particular or multiple sexual preferences, who is preoccupied with these desires and satisfying them, to the point that addressing them becomes consuming.

Sexually Abused Child Disorder – behavioral and emotional indicators of sexual abuse; these vary depending upon the child's developmental stage and vary in their level of certainty as indicators of sexual abuse; described by David Corwin, M.D.

Synechiae – an adhesion or joining together of parts of the body.

Vulvovaginitis – inflammation of the vulva and vagina.

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You are in section: Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 - Working In The Field Of Child… 2 - Definitions, Scope, and Effects… 3 - Indicators of Child Sexual… 4 - Investigation of Child Sexual… 5 - Techniques For The Child… 6 - Treatment Of Child Sexual… Conclusion Glossary Of Terms Notes Selected Bibliography Other Resources Appendix A - Child Sexual… Appendix B - Risk Assessment… Appendix C - A Continuum of… Appendix D - Guidelines for…

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Updated on December 10, 2007