Recent Book: The Ciba Foundation: Edited by Ruth Porter: “Child Sexual Abuse within the Family”
| Published date | 01 July 1985 |
| Author | Lorna Baker |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X8505800322 |
| Date | 01 July 1985 |
| Subject Matter | Recent Book |
THE
CIBA
FOUNDATION:
EDITED
BY
RUTH
PORTER:
"Child Sexual Abuse Within the Family"
London: Tavistock Publications.
The sexual abuse of children is a subject which iscurrently receiving a good deal of
media and professional attention. Recently many books have been published on the
recognition and management of sexual abuse but these have been largely American
publications with little relevance to British procedures and experiences. This book
is refreshingly different.
Written by the London based Ciba
Foundation
study group, all the contributors
are actively involved in the care of sexually abused children and the wealth of
experience and expertise which they bring to the book is evident. Dr. Bentovin, the
well known authority on the management of sexual abuse, suggested the subject
for study and the result is an excellent text book which should be compulsory for
all workers in this field.
As in the case of physical abuse a decade or so ago, many professional workers
are now becoming aware of the problems caused by sexual abuse and are seeking a
clear definition of this form of ill-treatment to aid its recognition and to assist in
training and guidance.
The definition given in this book is succinct while covering all aspects: "The
involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in
sexual activities they do not fully comprehend, or
that
violate the social taboos of
family roles. (Kempe and Kempe 1978:60)".
Elsewhere in the book are good, clear, legal definitions of all the sexual offences
encompassed by the term "sexual abuse", an advantage for British readers which the
many recent American publications could not provide.
The multi-disciplinary approach in dealing with sexual abuse is strongly
recommended and is perhaps the theme of the book. The system adopted by the
Devon and Cornwall Police is described in detail and it is suggested
that
this
system should be introduced nationally. It must be said
that
other police forces do
have comparable schemes which are similarly multi-disciplinary but the writer may
not have been aware of this and his sentiments are certainly to be applauded.
This book provides guidance for all the agencies coming into contact with
sexually abused children and their families.
It
deals well with the identification and
management of the problem and outlines new legal procedures and methods of
treatment. The proposed combination of control and therapy will be immediately
acceptable to the majority of readers as it will encourage victims to seek help by
removing from the whole family the trauma of punishment.
In this country at present there is a high level of prosecution in sexual abuse
cases but a low level of psychotherapeutic or social work help. This book may well
help to redress this balance and so bring
about
a more reasoned and constructive
approach to the problem, perhaps lessening the horrific effects of sexual abuse on
the many tragic and secret victims.
Aworthwhile and thoroughly recommended book.
LORNA
BAKER
Hazell's Guide to The Judiciary and The Courts.
Henley-on-Thames: R. Hazell &Co. £15.00.
For
those who require a guide to the courts, the judiciary and the senior legal
profession, Hazell's Guide will be invaluable.
Designed to be used - clear text, well laid out, thread sewn so
that
pages do not
fall out, sturdy binding
and
high quality paper bringing together information for
the first time.
Hazell's Guide. edited by the publishers' staff, has four principal sections: the
Judiciary; the Courts in England and Wales; the Holborn Law Society's List of
Barristers by Chambers; and the Judiciary, Courts and advocates in Scotland,
Northern Ireland, The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. A range of calendars
are also included. KEN
RUSSELL
July 1985 277
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