Confronting Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse
- Cynthia Crosson-Tower - Professor Emerita, Fitchburg State University
“The text ‘pulls the dirt from under the rug’ in discussing the detailed ramifications of child sexual abuse, which is still seen as a taboo topic.”
“While the incidents of child and adolescent sexual abuse continue to grow in social work practice, no text has been written that has included the most recent research on the context, theories, and interventions methods with this population. Crosson-Tower has provided the clinician with how to recognize the impact and symptoms of childhood sexual abuse, engage with the victim and family members, complete a comprehensive assessment, develop a thorough treatment plan, and intervene effectively with the victim and the family while overcoming common barriers to treatment. Additionally, the author provides cutting-edge information on little-discussed topics such as female sexual offenders, the role of pornography in child abuse, children and adolescents who sexually abuse, authority figures who sexually abuse children, and treatment for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This is sure to become the definitive ‘classic’ text in courses preparing students for competent practice with sexually abused children and adolescents.”
“This book provides a strong basis for the student or practitioner interested in acquiring or strengthening assessment skills in the area of Child Sexual Abuse.”
“Well-written undergraduate upper division book, could also be used for graduate social work and psychology training in sexual abuse. Interesting and thorough.”
“A current and thorough offering on one of today’s devastating problems.”
“Speaking out against child sexual abuse is beneficial because we are their voice when they have nothing to say.”
“As a society, we need to find new and enhanced ways to address this major social problem of children and adolescents sexual abuse. This text opens with a history of sexual abuse, offers models for treatment and assessment and provides excellent insights into many of the major sexual abuse dynamics of our times. Finally we have a textbook that is very relevant for our times and one that offers us a way to help the challenges of some very young people.”
"In Confronting Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse, Crosson-Tower divides her comprehensive review of child sexual abuse into three major parts that offer an overview of child sexual abuse; a description of victims, perpetrators, and non-offending parents; and treatment and other interventions."
This book provides a good overview of the impacts of child sexual abuse on family systems - victims, offenders, non-offending caregivers, and non-abused siblings - and interventions available to address this issue on an individual and family/group level. For a graduate mini-course, I felt this book touched upon most, if not all, of the salient issues surrounding SA, disclosure, response, intervention, and prevention across client groups.
A great book with a really good insight
