Children with Sexual Behavior Issues Jane F. Gilgun, PhD, LICSW School of Social Work University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Day 1 June 19, 2007
Topics A Continuum of Child Sexual Behaviors Typologies of Children with Sexual Behavior Issues Risks and Protective Processes Related to Children’s Sexual Behavior Issues Family Issues Related to Children’s Sexual Behaviors Emotion Regulation and Trauma
Children’s Sexual Behaviors Begin in womb Continue over the life course
Children’s Sexual Behaviors Sex in US culture –Taboo –Fascinating –Linked to violence –Rarely life-enhancing
A Continuum of Child Sexual Behaviors Developmentally Appropriate Inappropriate but Easily Correctable Inappropriate and Problematic –Origin not known –Abuse-reactive Sexually manipulative Sexually abusive
Harborview Medical Center Clinical Typology of Problematic Child Sexual Behaviors Precocious Inappropriate Coercive Source: Berliner, L, O. Manaois, & C. Monastersky (1986). Child sexual behavior disturbance: An assessment and treatment model. Seattle, WA: Harborview Medical Center.
A Continuum of Problematic Child Sexual Behaviors Sexually Inappropriate Sexually Intrusive Sexually Aggressive Source: Bonner, Walker, & Berliner (2004)
Johnson’s Clinical Typology of Child Sexual Behaviors Natural and Healthy Of Concern Seek Professional Help Source: Johnson, Toni Cavanagh (n.d.). Understanding children’s sexual behaviors: What’s natural and healthy.
Johnson’s Clinical Continuum of Child Sexual Behaviors Natural and healthy Sexually reactive Children who molest Source: Johnson, Toni Cavanagh (n.d.). Understanding children’s sexual behaviors: What’s natural and healthy.
Johnson’s Clinical Continuum of Child Sexual Behaviors Natural and healthy Sexually reactive Children who molest Source: Johnson, Toni Cavanagh (n.d.). Understanding children’s sexual behaviors: What’s natural and healthy.
A Clinical Continuum of Sexualized Behaviors Normal SexualSexually Extensive MutualChildren Exploration ReactiveSexual BehaviorsWho Molest Source: Gil & Johnson (1993)
A Typology of Children with Problematic Sexual Behaviors Angry Anxious Hollow Disassociated Emotionally Disorganized
Risks & Protective Factors Related to Children’s Sexual Behavior Issues Assess child, family, and other ecologies –Identify risks –Identify competencies and resources
Risks & Protective Factors Related to Children’s Sexual Behavior Issues Assess child, family, and other ecologies Identify risks Identify competencies and resources How can treatment build on protective processes to manage risks?
Family Issues Related to Children’s Sexual Behaviors Low Risks/High Protective Factors High Risks/High Protective Factors High Risks/Low Protective Factors
Emotion Regulation & Trauma Emotion Regulation: Capacities to modulate emotional responses in a range of situations Trauma: life events that overwhelm everyday coping capacities
Regulation & Dysregulation Occurs across systems Related to –Styles of attachment –Internalized working models –Gender –Genes
Trauma An event that overwhelms everyday coping capacities Persistent re-experiencing of the event Persistent avoidance of situations associated with trauma and/or numbing of general responsiveness Physiological arousal
From LeDoux (1996)