Working With Nonoffending Caregivers of Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused: Common Challenges and Effective Strategies

Abstract

This research project is intended to address the dearth of information regarding best practice in clinical engagement and intervention with nonoffending caregivers of children who have been sexually abused. Utilizing an online survey, licensed clinicians were invited to respond to open-ended questions regarding (a) common challenges they face when working with caregivers of children who have been sexually abused and (b) strategies they have found to be effective when faced with these challenges. Their responses are presented and implications for social work training and practice are reviewed.

Supporting Those Who Love the Loathed: Trauma-Informed Support Groups for Family Members of Registered Sex Offenders

“…Parents may be blamed for the crimes of their offspring or for failing to prevent an offense; siblings or children may be thought to have a similar “crime gene”; household members are often disbelieved when they claim to not have known about the offending behavior; and spouses or partners might be shunned for staying with the RSO (Condry, 2013; Sample et al, 2018). In particular, nonoffending parents of children sexually abused by a relative often display a complex set of conflicting emotions and loyalty conflicts; therapists report that these phenomena can challenge the delicate balance of therapeutic engagement and safety planning (Crocetto & Beemer, in press; Levenson & Morin, 2001).…”