Understanding Child Sexual Maltreatment (SAGE Sourcebooks for the Human Services)

By Kathleen Faller

Therapists, lawyers, the police, social workers, and mental health professionals are increasingly confronted by the vexing problems associated with cases of child sexual abuse. In particular, they need the latest, most reliable information on diagnosis, treatment programs, protective services, and legal issues. Understanding Child Sexual Maltreatment answers this need. All aspects of child sexual abuse are thoroughly discussed, including prevalence, diagnosis, testifying in court, the role of therapists and attorneys, guidelines for assessing allegations of sexual abuse, risk assessment, foster care, and visitation rights. Actual case studies are incorporated to underscore important issues. Written in a highly accessible style, Understanding Child Sexual Maltreatment will prove of great value both to those who have little background in sexual abuse and those whose background in considerable. "The book is designed as a resource tool specifically for mental health professionals dealing with child abuse. . . . Well set out and interesting to read." --Nursing Standard "Faller offers a description of child sexual abuse; addresses the response of the legal system; discusses diagnosis and case management; and places child sexual abuse in its social context. The writing is clear and straightforward with good use of sample schedules. The book is adequately referenced and indexed. Highly recommended for libraries serving programs in counseling or social work. Upper-division undergraduates and above." --Choice "It is a comprehensive and practical text suitable for use by child abuse professionals from all disciplines. Few child sexual abuse texts can match the expansive scope or the clear and balanced analysis of the material presented in this book. . . . Understanding Child Sexual Maltreatment should rank as one of the most significant works in the child sexual abuse literature. It is clearly written and extensively researched, and it presents dissimilar viewpoints in an objective manner. Professionals with little training and experience in sexual abuse and those whose background is considerable will find this book very informative and useful in their daily practice." --The Advocate: American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children "The wide range of information contained in this book will be extremely useful to experienced and inexperienced clinicians alike. A major strength of this book is the author′s relaxed personal style of writing and use of case examples from her extensive experience in the field. Although written primarily for mental health professionals, this book will be a valuable resource for child protective workers, lawyers, judges, and police who need to comprehend the mental health issues in this rapidly evolving area." --Violence UpDate "The book is written in a practical and usable manner and should aid those whose work involves this vexing issue." --Families in Society "A useful addition to the existing profusion of books available today on the subject of child sexual abuse. Its comprehensive and detailed approach provides the reader with a thorough conception of the problem as well as tools, techniques, and an appreciation of the complexities involved in this work. The organization of material into protocols and charts assists the reader in identifying key issues and areas to explore. . . . I would recommend the book as a resource to mental health professionals, particularly supervisors and educators, where dialogue may occur around the more complicated or controversial areas." --Journal of Interpersonal Violence "This book has a variety of virtues which give it merit. Despite its brevity, it is a scholarly work with many references to the literature, and the author clearly substantiates her own expertise and 14 years of clinical experience with child sexual abuse. A number of points . . . struck home with me and it was to these that I returned at the end. . . . There is a definite multi-disciplinary collaborative ethic within the author′s approach. The style of her text combines practical and researched-based stances in the presentation of a very wide range of weighty issues. The points made are supported by the many illustrative case examples included. . . . I have already found this book helpful and particularly like its practicality. The quality is reflected in its style and content as well as in its presentation and format. . . . As an introduction which raises important contemporary themes and as a summary for those having to make good of their own training, I can most certainly recommend it." --British Journal of Guidance and Counselling "Highly recommended." --Family Violence & Sexual Assault Bulletin Book Club

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080393842X
• ISBN13: 9780803938427
• Release Date: June 1990
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.8" x 5.5"