From Victim to Client: Preventing the Cycle of Sexual Reactivity

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Craig S. Cashwell, Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Much has been written concerning the incidence of sexual abuse of children and adolescents, the potential long-term consequences of such abuse, and the need for child sexual abuse prevention efforts (Barker, 1990; Barth & Derezotes, 1990; Krivacska, 1990). Education about sexual abuse and other prevention efforts is becoming increasingly prominent in schools, community-based agencies, and in the home (Krivacska, 1990). Recent literature, however, has emphasized as important sexual reactivity, another potential repercussion for the sexual abuse victim. Sexual reactivity refers to sexualized behavior that appears in direct response to recent sexual abuse (Friedrich, 1990; Sgroi, Bunk, & Wabrek, 1988). This article will focus on the sexually aggressive behavior of children and adolescents who have been sexually abused as children. We will provide an overview of the current literature on sexual reactivity, offer theoretical explanations for the incidence of sexually reactive behavior, and discuss implications for prevention and early intervention of this phenomenon.

Additional Information

Publication
The School Counselor, 42, 233-238.
Language: English
Date: 1995
Keywords
Sexual abuse, Children and adolescents, Adolescent sex offenders, Counseling, Prevention, Reactivity

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