What drives a child to commit sexual abuse?
Horrific behaviour is often triggered by spiral of violence and neglect that goes back generations, says study
By Nina Lakhani
A unique insight into why young children sexually abuse other children is to be revealed in a ground-breaking study.
The research, which has yet to be formally published, was on boys aged 10 or under who have molested siblings, classmates, or friends. It found that they are invariably born into families in which abuse, violence and neglect has become routine over several generations.
The peer-reviewed study found that the boys were unable to form healthy relationships as a result of neglectful and hostile parenting. Even before starting school, they were anxious, angry and detached; bed-wetting, nightmares, self-harm and eating problems were common.
All of the boys in the study, which is to be published in Child Abuse Review next year, started abusing after being sexually abused themselves. By the time they received specialist help they had all perpetrated serious abuse against several children. This was not childhood experimentation: their victims were as young as six months; penetration and violence were common.
Comment: I think that a much neglected area of study is; why grandparents sexually abuse their grandchildren?
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
No comments:
Post a Comment