Sexual abuse in the national incidence study of child abuse and neglect: An appraisal

Abstract The National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect was a major, government sponsored effort to collect data on reported and unreported child abuse. It used a systematic representative sample methodology and very precisely developed definitions of child abuse. This paper reviews some of the main limitations of the study in regard to findings on sexual abuse. First, there is probably less new data in the study on sexual abuse than on other forms of abuse, since so many of the study cases of sexual abuse were officially reported cases. In addition, the study limited its definition of sexual abuse only to cases where a caretaker was the perpetrator, a definition that is much more restrictive than what is used in many treatment programs. Finally, the data on perpetrators has a number of problems that stem from the study\u27s definitions of sexual abuse. The paper makes suggestions for future incidence type studies of sexual abuse. © 1984

Estimating the number of stranger-abduction homicides of children: A review of available evidence

Abstract This article attempts to derive estimates of the incidence of stranger-abduction homicide of children from six existing data sources. Also presented are the results of a separate analysis of abduction-related statistics on children contained in the Comprehensive Homicide File for the nine-year period 1976-1984. Methodological problems in existing data sources are identified, and results are discussed in relation to the issue of missing children. © 1990

Family abduction outcomes: Factors associated with duration and emotional trauma to children.

Abstract Using data from a national survey, we examine factors associated with two specific outcomes of family abduction events: duration of the episode and the likelihood of emotional trauma to children involved. Duration appears to be influenced by indicators of preparedness, planning and intent, and with difficulty in physically locating the child. Emotional harm is influenced by factors associated with child awareness, disruption in the child\u27s routine, and levels of animosity between parents

Risk factors for family abduction: Demographic and family interaction characteristics.

Abstract Previous research in the study of family abduction has been plagued by three problems in efforts to establish risk factors for the experience of these events: (1) failure to use appropriate comparison groups; (2) focus on only the most severe cases of abduction, without consideration of the full spectrum of these events; and (3) use of data drawn only from some reported source (i.e., police, court, or missing children agency reports). This paper addresses these three methodological difficulties, using data drawn from a national sample of families, and including both abducted and nonabducted children. We find that race, age of children, family size, and incidence of violence in the family all appear to bear on the risk of experiencing a family abduction event. Further, recency of divorce or separation appears to be associated with the risk for more serious or alarming cases of family abduction

New Categories of Missing Children: Injured, Lost, Delinquent, and Victims of Caregiver Mix-ups.

Abstract A national survey of 10,367 households uncovered cases of missing children that did not fall into one of the four federally defined categories of missing children. Qualitative and quantitative procedures disclosed the existence of four additional categories: children missing due to injury in an accident, delinquent and rebellious behavior, getting lost, and miscommunication among adult caregivers. Two of these categories, injured and lost children, should particularly be included in missing children\u27s typologies because of their potential seriousness. Vulnerability to all four kinds of episodes was associated with certain family characteristics, suggesting that they were not simply accidental occurrences. In addition to help in locating their children, these families may need other forms of assistance

Sexual abuse in a national survey of adult men and women: Prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors

Abstract This paper reports on the first national survey of adults concerning a history of childhood sexual abuse. Victimization was reported by 27% of the women and 16% of the men. Higher rates of abuse were found among men who grew up in unhappy families, lived for some period with only their mothers, who were currently residing in the West and who came from English or Scandinavian heritage. Higher rates of abuse were found among women who grew up in unhappy families, lived for some period without one of their natural parents, received inadequate sex education, were currently residing in the West or who were born after 1925. © 1990

The Dark Side of Families: Current Family Violence Research.

Based on papers presented at the National Conference for Family Violence Researchers, Durham, N.H., 198