Confronting Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse

Dr. Cynthia Crosson-Tower is a national expert on child abuse and neglect and the author of numerous books and publications, including Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect, Exploring Child Welfare: A Practice Perspective, When Children Are Abused: An Educator's Guide to Intervention, Secret Scars: A Guide for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, Homeless Students, A Clergy Guide to Child Abuse and Neglect, and How Schools Can Combat Child Abuse and Neglect. In addition, she has authored several monographs including Designing and Implementing a School Reporting Protocol: A How-to-Manual for Massachusetts Teachers for the Children's Trust Fund in Boston and An Educator's Guide to School Reporting Protocol for Catholic Schools. Dr. Crosson-Tower has taught in the behavioral sciences department at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts for 24 years, also founding the Child Protection Institute and serving as director there. She has consulted for schools, churches, and social agencies and offers workshops and training nationally and internationally. Dr. Crosson-Tower also maintains a private practice, Harvest Counseling and Consultation, specializing in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Preface Acknowledgments Overview of Child Sexual Abuse Chapter 1: Yesterday and Today: The History of Sexual Exploitation and Intervention as a Backdrop for Today's Understanding Chapter 2: The Dynamics of Child Sexual Abuse Chapter 3: Theories, Models, and Context of Child Sexual Abuse Victims, Perpetrators, and Nonoffending Parents Chapter 4: Child Victims of Sexual Abuse: Development and Symptomology Chapter 5: Sexual Offending Against Children Chapter 6: Intrafamilial Abuse or Incest Chapter 7: Pornography, Prostitution, and the Internet Chapter 8: Children and Adolescents Who Sexually Abuse Chapter 9: Offenders in Roles of Authority: Teachers, Coaches, Day Care Providers, and Therapists Chapter 10: Sexual Abuse by Clergy: A Unique Offender Intervention Chapter 11: Initial Intervention in Child Sexual Abuse Chapter 12: Assessment and Treatment Planning for Children and Family Members Chapter 13: Treatment for Victims and Families Chapter 14: Assessment and Treatment for Adult Sexual Offenders Chapter 15: Treatment for Adult Survivors: Surviving Child Sexual Abuse Chapter 16: Working With Child Sexual Abuse Chapter 17: Working Toward Prevention References Index About the Author

"The text 'pulls the dirt from under the rug' in discussing the detailed ramifications of child sexual abuse, which is still seen as a taboo topic." -- Annalease M. Gibson "While the incidents of child and adolescent sexual abuse continue to grow in social work practice, no text has been written that has included the most recent research on the context, theories, and interventions methods with this population. Crosson-Tower has provided the clinician with how to recognize the impact and symptoms of childhood sexual abuse, engage with the victim and family members, complete a comprehensive assessment, develop a thorough treatment plan, and intervene effectively with the victim and the family while overcoming common barriers to treatment. Additionally, the author provides cutting-edge information on little-discussed topics such as female sexual offenders, the role of pornography in child abuse, children and adolescents who sexually abuse, authority figures who sexually abuse children, and treatment for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This is sure to become the definitive 'classic' text in courses preparing students for competent practice with sexually abused children and adolescents." -- Barbara J. Nowak "This book provides a strong basis for the student or practitioner interested in acquiring or strengthening assessment skills in the area of Child Sexual Abuse." -- Beth Walker "Well-written undergraduate upper division book, could also be used for graduate social work and psychology training in sexual abuse. Interesting and thorough." -- Katya V. Shkurkin "A current and thorough offering on one of today's devastating problems." -- Kimberly L. Wacaster "Speaking out against child sexual abuse is beneficial because we are their voice when they have nothing to say." -- Kniesha Primes "As a society, we need to find new and enhanced ways to address this major social problem of children and adolescents sexual abuse. This text opens with a history of sexual abuse, offers models for treatment and assessment and provides excellent insights into many of the major sexual abuse dynamics of our times. Finally we have a textbook that is very relevant for our times and one that offers us a way to help the challenges of some very young people." -- Nancy DeCesare "In Confronting Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse, Crosson-Tower divides her comprehensive review of child sexual abuse into three major parts that offer an overview of child sexual abuse; a description of victims, perpetrators, and non-offending parents; and treatment and other interventions." -- Russ Immarigeon