Acceptance of Sexual Interest in Minors in Self-Referred Individuals Under Treatment – An Exploratory Pilot Study

Some therapists/scientists argue that “acceptance” of sexual interest in minors (SIM), i.e., the integration of the sexual preference into the individual self-concept, is a prerequisite for dealing with SIM in a responsible way. However, if one assumes that – even in some persons – SIM might change over time, “acceptance” could also run counter to therapeutic targets because the motivation to change as well as the specific self-efficacy for modifying SIM might be reduced. This exploratory pilot study analyzes the relationship between acceptance of SIM and (1) dynamic risk for contact sexual reoffending, (2) SIM and frequency of the use of child/adolescent (sexual abuse) imagery, (3) frequency of sexual desire/behavior toward children/adolescents, and (4) the change of the level of acceptance of SIM during the course of treatment. The majority of the participants (N = 79) was not exclusively interested in children (85%) and used child pornography but did not commit child sexual abuse (54%). Acceptance of SIM, frequency of the use of child/adolescent (sexual abuse) imagery and frequency of sexual desire/behavior toward children/adolescents are assessed via self-report questionnaires, dynamic risk for contact sexual reoffending is measured by STABLE-2007. Pretreatment data are analyzed via Spearman’s correlation (N = 79). Intragroup analysis compares acceptance of SIM from pre- and posttreatment (n = 35). There was no correlation between acceptance of SIM and dynamic risk for contact sexual reoffending. However, there was a medium, positive correlation between acceptance of SIM and the frequency of the use of legal imagery of children, a positive correlation between the item “My inclination is an integral part of my personality” and the frequency of the use of legal imagery of children, and a positive correlation between acceptance of SIM and the frequency of sexual activities with minors. Acceptance of SIM did not change during the course of treatment. The results suggest that “acceptance” of SIM has to be discussed in a differentiated way, i.e., as possibly being associated with positive and negative outcomes as well.

ATENDIMENTO PSICOSSOCIAL A CRIANÇAS E ADOLESCENTES VÍTIMAS DE ABUSO SEXUAL: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Resumo: Este artigo trata de uma pesquisa de revisão de literatura e procura analisar a forma como o atendimento psicossocial à vítima de abuso sexual infantojuvenil tem sido efetivado no Brasil, entre os anos de 2010 a 2020. Para tanto, foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico com a utilização de cinco descritores, nos principais bancos de dados: PepSIC, Scielo, Google, BDTD, Bireme, Medline, BVC - Psi Brasil, BDTD da USP. Assim, 11 artigos foram selecionados para a pesquisa. Os resultados apontaram que há poucas produções científicas sobre a temática; embora a discussão midiática e acadêmica acerca do fenômeno do abuso sexual seja abundante, referente ao atendimento psicológico/psicossocial à vítima desvelou-se um debate insólito. O acompanhamento psicossocial a longo prazo e imediatamente após a violência não sucede. Não há continuidade dos atendimentos. Tal fato fundamenta-se na premissa de que o atendimento no âmbito do Sistema Único de Assistência Social (SUAS) deve ter caráter pontual e limitado. Portanto, conclui-se que o acolhimento psicossocial às vítimas, devido à escassez ou inexistência de serviços públicos, ocorre de forma pouco humanizada e negligente, situações que contribuem diretamente para a ampliação das dores emocionais advindas de um abuso sexual. É necessária a melhoria dos serviços públicos que assistem a vítima de abuso sexual em todas as suas facetas, uma vez que se mostram contraproducentes e destoantes. Palavras-chave: Abuso sexual. Psicologia. Sofrimento. Políticas públicas.Abstract: This article deals with a systematic literature review research and seeks to analyze the way in which psychosocial care for victims of child and adolescent sexual abuse has been carried out in Brazil, between the years 2010 to 2020. For this purpose, a bibliographic survey was carried out. using five descriptors in the main databases: PepSIC, Scielo, Google, BDTD, Bireme, Medline, BVC - Psi Brasil, BDTD from USP. Thus, 11 articles were selected for the research. Results pointed out that the host network has not been efficient, since the attendance occurs late and, in some cases, does not succeed. There are few scientific productions on the subject, although the media and academic discussion about the sexual abuse phenomenon is abundant, referring to to the psychological / psychosocial assistance to the victim, an unusual debate was unveiled. Long-term psychosocial follow-up and immediately after the violence does not take place. There is no continuity of care. This fact is based on the premise that care within the scope of the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) must have a punctual and limited character. Therefore, it is concluded that the psychosocial reception to the victims, due to the scarcity or inexistence of public services, occurs in a little humanized and negligent way, situations that directly contribute to the expansion of the emotional pains resulting from sexual abuse. It is necessary to improve the public services that assist the victim of sexual abuse in all its facets, since they are counterproductive and disagreeable.Keywords: Sexual abuse. Psychology. Suffering. Public policy.

Male-On-Male Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse in the Caribbean Region of Colombia: A Secondary Analysis of Medico-Legal Reports

Child and adolescent sexual abuse (CSA) is an important global health problem, especially in non-Western low- and middle-income countries. A number of studies have indicated that, in Latin American countries, male CSA is phenomenon of great concern. However, research on this topic is seriously lacking, and more specifically, on male-on-male CSA. We carried out a qualitative and quantitative secondary analysis of 680 cases of alleged male-on-male CSA that occurred between the years 2017 and 2018 in the Caribbean Region of Colombia. We analyzed the contents of forensic interviews with the alleged victims, conducted by professionals working at the Colombian Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences. Our findings indicated a high prevalence of cases of alleged male-on-male CSA among young minors. Most of these cases were allegedly perpetrated by offenders known to the victim and involved high levels of violence. Evidence-based and culturally grounded preventative actions, such as training-based programs for teachers and parents among other public health initiatives are needed to address this type of CSA. Further research is also required to gain a more fine-grained understanding of the cultural and social context of CSA in the Caribbean Latin American countries.

Narratives of Mothers Whose Children Had Been Sexually Abused: Maternal Reactions and Comprehension Regarding Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse

Child and adolescent sexual abuse is considered to be a serious public health concern and a devastating form of violence with serious physical, mental, and behavioral consequences in the short and long term. This qualitative study aimed to identify maternal reactions to the disclosure of sexual violence and explore the comprehension regarding child and adolescent sexual abuse held by the mothers of child victims. Twelve mothers were interviewed, whose children had experienced a situation of sexual abuse and were receiving psychosocial care in a municipality in southern region of Brazil. The collected data were organized and analyzed using the principles of Grounded Theory with the Atlas.ti 7.5.7 software. From the analysis of the narratives, three main categories emerged: mothers with positive reactions, mothers with ambivalent reactions, and mothers with negative reactions. Mothers that presented positive reactions believed the report and supported their children, showing a comprehension that sexual abuse can occur in different ways and not only when there is penetration. The participants that had ambivalent reactions oscillated between maintaining or breaking off the relationship with the perpetrator of the violence, expressed initial disbelief regarding the report of the abused child, and had a comprehension that sexual abuse could be a form of affection. Mothers that had a negative reaction to the disclosure of abuse presented a contradictory narrative, minimizing the effects of the violence and placing the victims at fault regarding the abuse suffered. The importance of considering the possible relationships between the maternal comprehensions regarding child and adolescent sexual abuse and the reactions of these mothers during the professional intervention was demonstrated.