1. UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF VICTIMIZATION IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASESby
Wynne Mittledorf Shaw, M.Ed., LPC-S
Clinical Supervisor
Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center

2. ABOUT DCAC
Our mission is to improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County and provide national leadership on child abuse issues.
We use a multidisciplinary team approach, bringing Child Protective Services workers, DPD detectives, Dallas County DA’s, Children’s Medical Center staff, forensic interviewers and therapists together to provide families all the services they need in one location.

3. ABOUT ME Bachelor’s in Psychology from UT Austin
Master’s in Counseling from UNT
In the child abuse field 17 years
With DCAC 12 years
First 8 years working with moms
Last 4 years as a supervisor
What about you… Law enforce? Prosecutors? Who else?

4. CONFERENCE GOALS Provide an overview of the dynamics of sexual abuse.
Provide an understanding of the cycle of abuse in families.
Provide tips for working with families.
Provide tools/resources to help families.
What else are you hoping to take away from this training?

5. WHAT IS SEXUAL ABUSE
Sexual abuse is the involvement of a child or teenager in any type of sexual activity with an adult or older child. Abuse is always for the pleasure of the perpetrator and always involves coercion or manipulation and secrecy.
Lets make sure we are on the same page when talking about CSA.

6. TYPES OF SEXUAL ABUSE Touching breasts, buttocks or genitals
Anal, oral or vaginal penetration
Exposing self to child or forcing child to expose themselves
Showing a child porn or using a child to produce porn
Prostituting or otherwise exploiting child
Exposing a child to live sex acts

7. SEXUAL ABUSE FACTS 1 in 3-4 girls will be abused by age 18.
1 in 5-6 boys will be abused by age 18.
Many victims never disclose their abuse.
Almost all (90%) abusers are family members or someone close to the child.
Abusers manipulate and groom parents as well as the child.

8. SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE Behavioral Nightmares/sleep problems
Trouble with rules
Aggression
Clingy/whiney
Regression
Sexual acting out
Drug/Alcohol Abuse

9. SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE Emotional Fear/anxiety Sadness/Depression
Poor self-esteem
Irritability
Anger
Guilt/shame/confusion
Inability to trust

10. LONG TERM EFFECTS OF CSA
Chronic medical problems
Chronic psychiatric/psychological problems
Poor relationships
Increased risk of further victimization
Substance abuse

11. FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS
Poor communication
Poor boundaries
Role reversal
Isolation
Extreme parental stress
Parental substance abuse
Domestic Violence
Parental history of abuse

12. CYCLE OF ABUSE Child is abused Child not believed/ protected
Victim’s radar disabled
Relationship w/ new abuser
Grooms parent & child

13. GROOMING
The process an abuser uses to gain a parent & child’s trust and confuse the child into thinking the abuse is ok.
Begins with manipulating the parent
Moves to building a relationship with child
Exploits the child’s vulnerability
Leads to borderline abusive acts
Escalates to full blown abuse
Frog in a boiling pot analogy.

14. WHAT ABOUT ABUSERS? Many adult sex abusers witnessed DV as a child.
Many adult sex abusers were sexually abused as a child.
Many are not true pedophiles.
Power and control are often the primary motivation.

15. WHY KIDS DON’T TELL FEAR, FEAR, FEAR Don’t realize its wrong
Of not being believed
Of getting in trouble
Of perpetrator
Of upsetting family
Don’t realize its wrong
Don’t know how/who to tell
Perpetrator told them not to
Don’t want to get perpetrator in trouble
Its also important to understand that sometimes kids try to tell and feel like they have but the adults they have told cannot understand. Punch on the playground analogy.

16. RESPONDING TO VICTIMS Stay calm. Assure the child you believe them.
Assure the child its not their fault and they are not in trouble with you.
Let the child know you will help keep them safe – but don’t make promises
Encourage the child to talk about it.

17. A WORD ABOUT DISCLOSURE
Its a process, not a 1x event
Isn’t always clear at first
Expect delays
Initial denial ≠ no abuse
Discrepancies ≠ lies
Recanting ≠ no case

18. THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND No medical evidence ≠ no abuse
Positive feelings for abuser ≠ no abuse
Kids think differently than adults
Expect family drama and turmoil
Kids need extra prep for trial
KIDS RARELY LIE ABOUT ABUSE!!!!!
Kids lie to get out of trouble.

19. HOW COULD SHE BE SO BLIND?
Abusers are very sneaky.
It only takes an instant.
Kids work hard to hide abuse.
And may even deny abuse.
Hindsight is 20/20.
Past abuse disables their radar.
They never suspected family.

20. UNDERSTANDING MOM’S REACTION
Fear factor!!!
Remember Maslow’s hierarchy.
Remember the cycle of abuse.
Learned helplessness
There are losses involved.
A mom can be supportive without believing.

21. HELPING MOMS BELIEVE Don’t demand instant belief and anger.
Understand that this is hard to believe.
Try not to blame or interrogate.
Explain that you believe the child.
Explain that mom should not push child for details but can talk about feelings.
Provide education and resources.
Refer for therapy/professional support.

22. THE CHILD ABUSE/DV LINK
Strong connection between DV and child physical and sexual abuse.
Perpetrators of DV also abused children in 70% of cases.
Dynamics are similar – power and control.
Discovering child abuse is often what motivates DV victims to leave.

23. THE CHILD ABUSE/SA LINK
Strong connection between substance abuse and child physical/sexual abuse.
Substance abuse is a factor in 70% of reported child abuse cases.
50-80% of sex offenders abuse alcohol &/or drugs.
Parents with SA problems less able to protect children from abuse and less able to support them after abuse occurs.

24. HOW WILL THIS HELP MY CASE?
A parent who has support is more cooperative and supportive of child.
A child who feels safe and supported usually gives more info.
A child with a supportive parent is less likely to recant and has better recovery.
A healthy family looks better at trial.

25. SEX ABUSE RESOURCES Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
DCAC.org
Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas
CACTX.org
National Children’s Advocacy Center
Nationalcac.org

26. GENERAL RESOURCES Local DA and PD Victim Witness Liaison
Texas Dept of Criminal Justice –
Victim Services Division or
Texas Attorney General’s Office
Crime Victims Compensation Division
National Center for Victims of Crime
800-fyi-call ( ) ncvc.org

27. Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
CONTACT INFO
Wynne Shaw
Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center