Mental health articles

child sex abuse from friends of the family Six percent of the female respondents in Russell’s (1983) survey were abused by
friends of the family. Victims were fairly equally distributed in age, and perpetrators
were either older adult friends of the victims’ parents or younger adolescent friends
of a member of the family, usually a sibling. Approximately one-fourth of these
incidents resulted in penetration and 40% involved force or threat.
Adult friends—while visiting: About 40% of victims in this group, most of whom were between the ages of eight and 13, were abused while either visiting or being
visited by the perpetrator. Dynamics were similar in both situations. Some men had special nonfilial (e.g., godfather) relationships with their victims. Yet, all perpetrators
used their special positioning within the family to approach the child.
Adult friend—other location: Another 40% of abuse involved adult family friends who approached young victims at other locations. Victims were approached while
attending a funeral, in a barn, at a store, the perpetrator’s woodshop, a university, the playground, on a farm, while bicycling, fishing, riding in a car, on a date with the
older person, and on a hike.
Adolescent friends of the family or of siblings: A few victims were abused by
friends of siblings or adolescent friends of the family. Most victims were young, and perpetrators were usually seven to 10 years older than their victims. Penetration or its
attempt was rare and approaches were diverse.
Mother’s boyfriend: In this final group, abuse was sometimes very severe. This type of abuse would almost definitely be more prevalent today because of the larger number of divorcees.

Tags: sex abuse