Includes bibliographical references (p. 197-207) and index.
Contents:
1. Childhood sexual experiences -- 2. Damaged goods? What we already know about childhood sexual experiences -- 3. Normal sexual development -- 4. A silence recently broken -- 5. The need to remember and the need to forget -- 6. Protecting and helping others -- 7. Justice at any cost -- 8. Remaining defiant -- 9. Kids and adults that don't tell -- 10. Drawing together the threads of resilience -- 11. Gender differences in the development of narratives of resilience and disclosure -- 12. How to heal relational injuries caused by childhood sexual experiences -- Appendix 1. Ten week, step-by-step recovery programme -- Appendix 2. Research methodology -- Appendix 3. Limitations of research methodology.
Summary:
Sexual relations between children and adults is a highly controversial issue, and is usually framed as child sexual abuse. However, not all people regard their childhood sexual experiences as abusive or having an impact on their lives. Without detracting from the significant trauma of child abuse, this book seeks to explore divergent narratives of childhood sexual experiences, in particular to examine the factors leading to resilience in adversity or reduced perceptions of severity. The chapters look at the current literature on child sexual abuse and experiences, family and environmental protective and risk factors, the psychology of disclosure, coping mechanisms, gender differences, affect on sexuality, and the implications for therapy, and draws upon the narratives of adults who describe their perceptions - in childhood and adulthood - of their experiences. The outline of a ten week recovery programme is also included.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.