A neglected class of sexual assault victims consists of women who were molested as children. In response to their unmet needs, therapy groups composed solely of women who were sexually abused in their childhood have been established. The goals of these groups are twofold: (1) the alleviation of sexual guilt and shame and (2) the clarification of emotional and behavioral consequences of molestation. Ten groups have been conducted, each containing four to six members, comprising an overall total of 50 women. In 97% of the cases, a prior relationship had existed between perpetrator and victim. Treatment consisted of a four-session format. During session I, each group participant described her molestation experiences in detail. Sessions II and III focused on how these experiences have affected the women. Session IV dealt with individual stages of recovery and further treatment plans. Clinical findings included feelings of guilt and depression, negative self-image, and problems in interpersonal relationships associated with an underlying mistrust of men, inadequate social skills, and difficulties in sexual functioning. Evaluations of the therapy groups by the participants indicated that the primary curative component was the sense of identification and emotional closeness instilled by a warm and supportive environment where a common bond was shared.
A 45-item questionnaire was administered to 952 college students. The questionnaire covered the frequency, components, and adult consequences of child molestation in a non-clinical population and provided the basis for comparisons between molested females with and without current sexual problems, and molested females vs. molested males. The male molestation rate was 4.8% with a 3:2 ratio of hetero:homosexual molestation. The female molestation rate was 7.7%. The single significant difference between the two female groups was the negative effect of positive coercion. Significant differences between molested males and females included greater positive coercion and homosexual molestation in males and greater familial molestation and negative consequences of molestation in females. The results were discussed with respect to the role of guilt and the sexual socialization of males and females.
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