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Amer. J. Orthopsychiat.

55(4), October 1985

THEORY & REVIEW

THE TRAUMATIC I M PACT OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE:


A Conceptualization
This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.
This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.

David Finkelhor, Ph.D., and Angela Browne, Ph.D.

Family Violence Research Program, University of New Hampshire, Durham

A framework is proposedfor a more systematic understanding ofthe effects


.
of child sexual abuse. Four traumagenic dynamics -traumatic sexualiza
tion, betrayal, stigmatization, andpowerlessness--are identified as the core
of the psychological injury inflicted by abuse. These dynamics can be used
to make assessments of victimized children and to anticipate problems to
which these children may be vulnerable subsequently. Implications for
research are also considered.

T
he literature on child sexual abuse is The model proposed here postulates
full of clinical observations about that the experience of sexual abuse can
problems that are thought to be associ be analyzed in terms of four trauma
ated with a history of abuse , such as causing factors, or what we will call
sexual dysfunction, depression, and low traumagenic dynamics -traumatic sex
self-esteem. However, such observa ualization, betrayal , powerlessne s s ,
tions have not yet been organized into a and stigmatization. These traumagenic
clear model that specifies how and why dynamics are generalized dynamics , not
sexual abuse results in this kind of necessarily unique to sexual abuse ; they
trauma. This paper is an attempt to occur in other kinds of trauma. But the
provide such a model. Based on a re conjunction of these four dynamics in
view of the literature on the effects of one set of circumstances is what makes
sexual abuse, 6 the paper suggests a con the trauma of sexual abuse unique, dif
ceptualization of the impact of sexual ferent from such childhood traumas as
abuse that can be used in both research the divorce of a child' s parents or even
and treatment. being the victim of physical child abuse.

Submitted to the Journal in February /985. Preparation of this work was supported by grants from the
National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (90CA 0936 /01) and the National Institute of Mental
Health (MH/5161).

530 @1985 A merican Orthopsychiatric Association, Inc.


F I N K E LH O R A N D B R O W N E 531

These dynamics alter children's cog are fetishized and given distorted im
nitive and emotional orientation to the portance and meaning. It occurs
world, and create trauma by distorting through the misconceptions and confu
children's self-concept, world view, and sions about sexual behavior and sexual
affective capacities . For example, the morality that are transmitted to the child
dynamic of stigmatization distorts chil from the offender. And it occurs when
dren's sense of their own value and very frightening memories and events
worth. The dynamic of powerlessness become associated in the child' s mind
distorts children's sense of their ability with sexual activity.
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to control their lives. Children's at Sexual abuse experiences can vary


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tempts to cope with the world through dramatically in terms of the amount and
these distortions may result in some of kind of traumatic sexualization they
the behavioral problems that are com provoke. Experiences in which the of
monly noted in victims of child sexual fender makes an effort to evoke the
abuse. This paper will describe the child' s sexual response, for example,
model and suggest some of its ramifica are probably more sexualizing than
tions and use s . We will first describe those in which an offender simply uses a
each of the four dynamics and then show passive child to masturbate with. Expe
how each dynamic is associated with riences in which the child is enticed to
some of the commonly observed effects participate are also likely to be more
of sexual abuse. We will conclude by sexualizing than those in which brute
illustrating how the model can be used in force is used. However, even with the
clinical work and in research. use of force, a form of traumatic
sexualization may occur as a result of
FOUR TRAUMAGENIC DYNAMICS
the fear that becomes associated with
Traumatic sexualization refers to a sex in the wake of such an experience .
process in which a child's sexuality (in The degree of a child' s understanding
cluding both sexual feelings and sexual may also affect the degree of sexualiza
attitudes) is shaped in a devel tion. Experiences in which the child,
opmentally inappropriate and interper because of early age or developmental
sonally dysfunctional fashion as a result level, understands few of the sexual im
of sexual abuse . This can happen in a plications of the activities may be less
variety of ways in the course of the sexualizing than those involving a child
abuse. Traumatic sexualization can with greater awareness. Children who
occur when a child is repeatedly re have been traumatically sexualized
warded by an offender for sexual be emerge from their experiences with in
havior that is inappropriate to his or her appropriate repertoires of sexual be
level of development. It occurs through havior, with confusions and miscon
the exchange of affection, attention, ceptions about their sexual self
privileges , and gifts for sexual behavior, concepts, and with unusual emotional
so that a child learns to use sexual associations to sexual activities.
behavior as a strategy for manipulating Betrayal refers to the dynamic by
others to satisfy a variety of devel which children discover that someone
opmentally appropriate needs. It occurs on whom they were vitally dependent
when certain parts of a child's anatomy has caused them harm . This may occur
532 C H I L D S EXUAL A B U S E

in a variety of ways in a molestation tinually contravened. Many aspects of


experience. For example, in the course the sexual abuse experience contribute
of abuse or its aftermath, children may to this dynamic. We theorize that a basic
come to the realization that a trusted kind of powerlessness occurs in sexual
person has manipulated them through abuse when a child' s territory and body
lies or misrepresentations about moral space are repeatedly invaded against the
standards. They may also come to child' s will. This is exacerbated by
realize that someone whom they loved whatever coercion and manipulation the
or whose affection was important to offender may impose as part of the
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them treated them with callous disre abuse process. Powerlessness is then
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gard . Children can experience betrayal reinforced when children see their at
not only at the hands of offenders, but tempts to halt the abuse frustrated . It is
also on the part of family members who increased when children feel fear, are
were not abusing them. A family unable to make adults understand or be
member whom they trusted but who was lieve what is happening, or realize how
unable or unwilling to protect or believe conditions of dependency have trapped
them-or who has a changed attitude them in the situation.
toward them after disclosure of the An authoritarian abuser who contin
abuse-may also contribute to the ually commands the child' s participa
dynamics of betrayal. tion by threatening serious harm will
Sexual abuse experiences that are probably instill more of a sense of pow
perpetrated by family members or other erlessness. But force and threat are not
trusted persons obviously involve more necessary: any kind of situation in
potential for betrayal than those in which a child feels trapped, if only by
volving strangers. However, the degree the realization of the consequences of
of betrayal may also be affected by how disclosure , can create a sense of pow
taken in the child feels by the offender, erlessness. Obviously, a situation in
whomever the offender. A child who which a child tells and is not believed
was suspicious of a father' s activities will also create a greater degree of pow
from the beginning may feel less be erlessness . However when children are
trayed than one who initially experi able to bring the abuse to an end effec
enced the contact as nurturing and lov tively, or at least exert some control
ing and then is suddenly shocked to over its occurrence , they may feel less
realize what is really happening. Obvi disempowered.
ously, the degree of betrayal is also re Stigmatization , the final dynamic,
lated to a family's response to disclo refers to the negative connotations
sure . Children who are disbelieved, e.g. , badness, shame , and guilt-that
blamed, or ostracized undoubtedly ex are communicated to the child around
perience a greater sense of betrayal than the e xperie nces and that then be
those who are supported . come incorporated into the child' s
Powerlessness-or what might also be self-i mage . The se negative mean
called disempowerment, the dynamic of ings are communicated in many ways.
rendering the victim powerless-refers They can come directly from the
to the process in which the child's will, abuser, who may blame the victim for
desires, and sense of efficacy are con- the activity, demean the victim, or fur-
F I N K E LH O R AND B R O W N E 533

tively convey a sense of shame about the then, account in our view for the main
behavior. Pressure for secrecy from the sources of trauma in child sexual abuse .
offender can also convey powerful mes They are not in any way pure or narrowly
sages of shame and guilt. But stigmati defined. Each dynamic can be seen,
zation is also reinforced by attitudes that rather, as a clustering of injurious influ
the victim infers or hears from other ences with a common theme . They are
persons in the family or community. best thought of as broad categories
Stigmatization may thus grow out of the useful for organizing and categorizing
child' s prior knowledge or sense that the our understanding of the effect of sexual
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activity is considered deviant and taboo, abuse .


and it is certainly reinforced if, after dis
closure, people react with shock or TRAUMAGENIC DYNAMICS IN
THE IMPACT OF SEXUAL ABUSE
hysteria, or blame the child for what has
transpired. Children may be ad With the four traumagenic dynamics
ditionally stigmatized by people in their as an organizing framework, it is useful
environment who now impute other to reconsider the literature on the effects
negative characteristics to the victim of sexual abuse . Although a great many
(loose morals, " spoiled goods" ) as a re behavioral and emotional problems
sult of the molestation. have been related to a history of sexual
Stigmatization occurs in various de abuse ,6 unfortunately the sum total of
grees in different abusive situations . literature adds up to little more than a
Some children are treated as bad and list of possible outcomes. This is con
blameworthy by offenders and some are ceptually frustrating and does not en
not. Some children, in the wake of a courage deeper understanding of the
sexual abuse experience, are told phenomenon.
clearly that they are not at fault, The notion of traumagenic dynamics,
whereas others are heavily shamed . however, offers a way both to organize
Some children may be too young to have and theorize about many of the ob
much awareness of social attitudes and served outcomes. Most of the out
thus experience little stigmatization, comes, it will be noted, can be con
whereas others have to deal with pow veniently categorized according to one
erful religious and cultural taboos in ad or two ofthese dynamics. It would seem
dition to the usual stigma. Keeping the as though certain traumagenic dynamics
secret of having been a victim of sexual are more readily associated with certain
abuse may increase the sense of stigma, effects. Obviously, there is no simple
since it reinforces the sense of being one-to-one correspondence . Some ef
different. By contrast, those who find fects seem logically associated with
out that such experiences occur to many several dynamics. But there are clear
other children may have some of their general affinities . In this section, we will
stigma assuaged. briefly describe the effects that seem to
These four traumagenic dynamics, be associated with the four dynamic s . *

*A tabular presentation of these traumagenic dynamics, roughly broken down into psychological impact
and behavioral manifestations, is available from the authors.
534 C H I LD S EXUAL A B U S E

Traumatic Sexualization in ways that lead to sexual or physical


There are many observed effects of abuse. 1 4 1 8 2 1 34 3 6 All these observa
sexual abuse that seem readily con tions seem connected to the trauma
nected to the dynamic of traumatic genic dynamic of sexualization.
sexualization. Among young child Such problems and behavior, as well
victims, clinicians have often noted as victims' self-reports, suggest the
sexual preoccupations and repetitive various psychological effects produced
sexual behavior such as masturbation or by traumatic sexualization . At its most
compulsive sex play. Some children basic level, sexual abuse heightens
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display knowledge and interests that are awareness of sexual issues, which may
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inappropriate to their age, such as be particularly true among young children


wanting to engage school age playmates who might not otherwise be concerned
in sexual intercourse or oral-genital with sexual matters at their stage of devel
contact. 1 3 1 2 2 1 22 Some children who opment. Part of the preoccupation is as
have been victimized, especially ado sociated simply with the sexual stimula
lescent boys, but sometimes even tion of the abuse and the conditioning of
younger children, become sexually ag behavior that may go along with it, but it
gressive and victimize their peers or is also very much a function of the ques
younger children. Clinicians have re tions and conflicts provoked by the
marked about promiscuous and com abuse about the self and interpersonal
pulsive sexual behavior that sometimes relations. Confusion often arises espe
characterizes victims when they be cially about sexual identity. Victimized
come adolescents or young adults , al boys, for example, may wonder whether
though this has not been confirmed em they are homosexuals. Victimized girls
pirically. 7 n 40 There are also several wonder whether their sexual desirability

studies suggesting that victims of sexual has been impaired, and whether later
abuse have a high risk for entering into sexual partners will be able to "tell."
prostitution. 5 19 3 2 Traumatic sexualization is also asso
The sexual problems of adult victims ciated with confusion about sexual
of sexual abuse have been among the norms and standards . Sexually vic
most researched and best e stablished timized children typically have mis
effects . Clinicians have reported that conceptions about sex and sexual rela
victimized clients often have an aver tions as a result of things offenders may
sion to sex, flashbacks to the molesta have said and done . One common con
tion experience , difficulty with arousal fusion concerns the role of sex in affec
and orgasm , and vaginismus, as well as tionate relationships. If child victims
negative attitudes toward their sexuality have traded sex for affection from the
and their bodies . 8 1 2 2 9 34 3 8 The fre abuser over a period of time , this may
quently demonstrated higher risk of become their view of the normal way to
sexual abuse victims to later sexual as give and obtain affection. 1 7 2 0 2 4 Some
sault may also be related to traumatic of the apparent sexualization in the be
sexualization , 1 1 1 3 1 7 30 and some havior of victimized children may stem
victims apparently find themselves in from this confusion .
appropriately sexualizing their children Another impact that traumatic sex-
FINKELHOR A N D B R O W N E 535

ualization may have is in the nega experience and that others would reject
tive connotations that come to be asso a person who had.
ciated with sex. Sexual contact associ
ated in a child's memory with revulsion, Betrayal
fear, anger, a sense of powerlessness, or A number of the effects noted in
other negative emotions can contami victims seem reasonably to be con
nate later sexual experience s . These nected with the experience of betrayal
feelings may become generalized as an that they have suffered, in the form of
aversion to all sex and intimacy, and grief reactions and depression over the
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very probably also account for the sex loss ofa trusted figure . 1 3 7 20 2 1 Sexual
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ual dysfunctions reported by victims. abuse victims suffer from grave disen
chantment and disillusionment. In com
bination with this there may be an in
Stigmatization tense need to regain trust and security,
Other effects of sexual abuse seem manifested in the extreme dependency
naturally grouped in relation to the and clinging seen in especially young
dynamic of stigmatization . Child vic victims. 20 2 3 This same need in adults
tims often feel isolated, and may gravi may show up in impaired judgment
tate to various stigmatized levels of about the trustworthiness of other
society. Thus they may get involved in people4 9 2 t . 34 3 6 3 8 or in a desperate
drug or alcohol abuse , in criminal search for a redeeming relation
activity, or in prostitution. 3 4 1 7 The ship.34 35 As mentioned before , several
effects of stigmatization may also studies of female incest victims have
reach extremes in forms of self-de remarked on the vulnerability of these
structive be havior and suicide at women to relationships in which they
tempts .4 1 1 . 1 1 . 2 1 . 34 . 35 are physically, psychologically, and
The psychological impact of these sexually abused.4 1 1 1 3 1 7 2 5 30 Some
problems has a number of related com victims even fail to recognize when their
ponents . Many sexual abuse victims ex partners become sexually abusive
perience considerable guilt and shame toward their children. This seems
as a result of their abuse . 2 1 0 1 1 The guilt plausibly related to both an overdepen
and shame seem logically associated dency and impaired judgment.
with the dynamic of stigmatization , An opposite reaction to betrayal
since they are a response to being characterized by hostility and anger
blamed and encountering negative has also been observed among sexually
reactions from others regarding the abused girls.4 9 26 Distrust may man
abuse . Low self-esteem is another part ifest itself in isolation and an aversion to
of the pattern, as the victim concludes intimate relationships. Sometimes this
from the negative attitudes toward distrust is directed especially at men and
abuse victims that they are " s poiled is a barrier to successful heterosexual
merc handise" 3 9 1 8 2 1 3 4 3 8 Stigma relationships or marriages. Studies have
tization also results in a sense of noted marital problems among sexual
being different based on the (incorrect) abuse victims that also may represent
belief that no one else has had such an the surfacing of mistrust and suspicion.
536 C H I LD SEXUAL A B U S E

The anger stemming from betrayal is who feel unable to cope with their envi
part of what may lie behind the aggres ronments. 1 2 7 1 7 2 2 2 4 26 Finally , it
sive and hostile posture of some sexual seems readily related to the high risk of
abuse victims, particularly adoles subsequent victimization (noted in pre
cents , ! 8 1 0 2 1 ' 27 39 4 1 Such anger may vious sections) from which sexual abuse
be a primitive way of trying to protect victims appear to suffer: these victims
the self against future betrayals. Antiso may feel powerless to thwart others who
cial behavior and delinquency some are trying to manipulate them or do them
times associated with a history of harm.
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victimization are also an expression of Attempts to compensate for the expe


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this anger and may represent a desire for rience of powerlessness may account
retaliation. Thus, betrayal seems a for a third cluster of effects . In reaction
common dynamic behind a number of to powerlessness, some sexual abuse
the observed reactions to sexual abuse. victims may have unusual and dysfunc
tional needs to control or dominate . This
Powerlessness would seem particularly to be the case
There is also a configuration of effects for male victims, for whom issues of
of sexual abuse that seem plausibly re power and control are made very salient
lated to the dynamic of powerlessness. by male sex role socialization . 1 6 28
One reaction to powerlessness is obvi Some aggressive and delinquent be
ously fear and anxiety, which reflect the havior would seem to stem from this
inability to control noxious events. desire to be tough, powerful, and fear
Many of the initial responses to sexual som e , if even in desparate ways, to com
abuse among children are connected to pensate for the pain of powerlessness.
fear and anxiety . Nightmares, phobias, When victims become bullies and of
hypervigilance , clinging behavior, and fenders , reenacting their own abuse , it
somatic complaints related to anxiety may be in large measure to regain the
have been repeatedly documented sense of power and domination that
among sexually abused children . 1 2 these victims attribute to their own
1. 8 . 1 . 1 . 1 . 2 1 . 22 . 26 . 3 3 , 35 , 39 These fears abuser. All these effects seem related
0 4 5
and anxieties may extend into adulthood to the traumatic dynamic of powerless
as well . ness that is integral to the sexual abuse
A second major effect of powerless experience.
ness is to impair a person' s sense of effi The preceding should give a sense of
cacy and coping skills . Having been a how the four traumagenic dynamics are
victim on repeated occasions may make connected to the common patterns of
it difficult to act without the expectation reactions seen among victims. It should
of being revictimized. This sense of im be clear, however, that the reactions are
potence may be associated with the de overdetermined. Some effects seem
spair, depression, and even suicidal be plausibly connected to two or even three
havior often noted among adolescent traumagenic dynamics ; for example,
and adult victims . It may also be re depression can be seen as growing out of
flected in learning problems, running stigmatization , betrayal, or powerless
away, and employment difficulties, ness. There is no one-to-one corre
which researchers have noted in victims spondence between dynamics and ef-
FINKELHOR A N D B R O W N E 537

fects. It may be that stigma-related de yond the fact that its assumptions are
pression has different manifestations largely untested, the approach results in
and therefore calls for a different thera an overly simplistic classification of ex
peutic approach than depression related periences as either more or less serious.
to powerlessness. Such hypotheses Nothing about the character of the ef
suggested by the model are. worthy of fect is inferred, and nothing about how
further clinical and empirical investiga the trauma is likely to manifest itself is
tion. suggested.
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The model of traumagenic dynamics


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CLINICAL ASSESSMENT USING THE proposed here allows for a more com
MODEL OF TRAUMAGENIC DYNAMICS
plex assessment of the potential for
Of the many possible uses for the con trauma. With the assistance of these
ceptual model described here , an obvi concepts, the clinician can evaluate an
ous one is in making clinical as abuse experience on four separate di
sessments of the possible effects of mensions. The question is not whether it
abuse . Up to the present, clinicians have was more or less serious, but rather what
evaluated abuse experiences on the specific injurious dynamics were pres
basis of unsystematic and untested as ent. The characteristics of the experi
sumptions about what causes trauma. ence itself can be examined for their
There have been some atte mpts to contribution to each of the traumagenic
classify abuse experiences to aid in as processes. On the basis of the config
sessment, but these classifications have uration of traumagenic dynamics most
various shortcomings. present in an experience , the clinician
One common classification scheme can anticipate what would be the most
looks at the characteristics of the of likely types of effects.
fender: for example, whether the abuse Thus, a clinician might proceed
was at the hands of a " regressed" or through the model dynamic by dynamic,
" fixated" abuser. 1 6 However, this con asking first: How traumatically sex
ceptualization provides little insight into ualizing was this experience? Facts
the nature of the trauma experienced by about the experience , such as whether
the child . More often, experiences have intercourse occurred, how long it went
been classified according to simple on, and the degree to which the child
dichotomies which reflect collective participated, all might contribute to an
clinical judgment about what kinds of assessment of the degree of sexualiza
abuse are " more traumatic ." Thus, tion. Next a clinician would ask: How
abuse is commonly distinguished by stigmatizing was the experience? Fac
whether it occurred inside or outside the tors such as how long it went on, the age
family, on the belief that abuse inside of the child, the number of people who
the family has more serious effects on knew about it , and the degree to which
the child . Abuse is also commonly others blamed the child subsequent to
categorized according to whether or not the disclosure would all add to the as
penetration occurred and whether force sessment of this dynamic. Similarly,
was used. with regard to betrayal, facts about the
This approach to assessing the poten relationship between the victim and the
tial for trauma has real limitations. Be- offender, the way in which the offender
538 C H I LD SEXUAL ABUSE

involved the victim, and the attempts how others respond to it . The concep
successful and unsuccessful-of the tual framework being proposed here is
victim to get assistance and support easily adapted to this need.
from other family members would all be The four traumagenic dynamics do
taken into account. Finally , the facts not apply solely to the abuse e vent.
about the presence of force , the degree They are ongoing processes that have a
to which coercion was brought to bear, history prior to and a future subsequent
the duration of the abuse, and the cir to the abuse. They can be assessed in
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cumstances under which the abuse was each phase . In the pre-abuse phase, the
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terminated would be particularly rele traumagenic dynamics need to be un


vant to a determination of the degree to derstood particularly in relation to a
which powerlessness was a major child's family life and personality char
dynamic . acteristics prior to the abuse . For exam
Once an assessment is made about ple , a child who was a previous victim of
the experience according to the four physical or e motional abuse may have
traumagenic dynamics, a clinician already been suffering from a disem
should be able to draw inferences about powering dynamic before the abuse oc
some of the predominant concerns of curred. However, an eldest child with
the victim and about some of the sub important responsibilities, living in a
sequent difficulties to be expected. An fairly he althy family environment, may
assessment based on the traumagenic have acquired a well developed sense of
dynamics would also be useful for for personal efficacy and powerfulness. In
mulating intervention strategies . If, for such a context, the disempowering as
example, assessment suggested greatest pects of a sexual abuse experience may
trauma in the area of stigmatization , in have only a minor or transient effect. If
terventions might be aimed specifically the child had experienced an unstable
at reducing this sense of stigma. Such family configuration, in which the loy
interventions might include involve alty of significant others was in doubt,
ment with a survivors group, where the then the dynamic of betrayal may have
victim could get support from other already been strongly potentiat e d .
victims, or other activities to repair the However, the betrayal dynamic from
sense of a stigmatized and devalued self. the sexual abuse experience might be
substantially less for a child who had a
TRAUMAGENESIS sense of trust firmly established.
BEFORE AND AFTER ABUSE
The operation of the traumagenic
Although the sexual abuse itself is as dynamics can also be assessed in the
sumed to be the main traumatic agent in events subsequent to the sexual abuse .
victims, it is important to e mphasize Two main categories of subsequent
that any assessment approach to under e vents have particular importance : I)
standing trauma must take into account the family reaction to disclosure , if and
the child' s experiences both prior to and when it occurs, and 2) the social and
subsequent to the abuse . Abuse will institutional response to the disclosure .
have different effects on children de For example, much of the stigmatization
pending on their prior adjustment and on accompanying abuse may occur after
FI N K E LH O R AND BROWNE 539

the experience itself, as a child encoun tions, but these are not necessarily the
ters family and societal reactions. A pathologies related most closely to sex
child who was relatively unstigmatized ual abuse . The ad hoc measures, by
by the molestation itself may undergo contrast, are more sensitive to the spe
serious stigmatization if later rejected cific pathology that may result from
by friends or blamed by family and if sexual abuse , but they are not based on
having been abused remains a focus for any theory, and often suffer from lack of
a long time . The dynamic of powerless methodological rigor.
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ness is also greatly affected by a child's This model of traumagenic dynamics


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experiences subsequent to sexual can be the basis for developing instru


abuse . If, for instance , a great many ments specifically designed to assess the
authorities become involved in the ex impact of st:: xual abuse . Sections of the
perience and the child is forced to tes instruments would be geared to tap each
tify , forced to leave home , forced to tell of the four dynamics . Two separate in
the story on repeated occasions, and struments might be developed, one for
subjected to a great deal of unwanted direct administration to the children and
attention, this can also greatly in another for completion by parents or
crease the child' s sense of powerless professionals. Forms of the instruments
ness. But, if the child has a sense of hav might be tailored for different age
ing been able to end the abuse and obtain groups . Such instruments are badly
support and protection, this may greatly needed to further research on sexual
mitigate any sense of powerlessness that abuse.
resulted from the experience itself.
Thus, in assessing the experie nce , the
CONCLUSION
contributions of the pre- and post-abuse
situation must be included in relation to This paper has tried to suggest a
the four traumagenic dynamics. framework for a more systematic under
standing of the effects of sexual abuse .
IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH
It has introduced four traumage nic
The four traumagenic dynamics de dynamics, which are seen as the four
scribed in this paper have implications links between the experience of sexual
for both research and intervention. abuse and the sequelae that have been
Perhaps most importantly, they can be widely noted. Developing a concep
used as a conceptual guide in the devel tualization of these links may serve as a
opment of assessment instruments. Up step in the direction of advancing our
until now , research on child sexual understanding of sexual abuse and
abuse has been conducted using either mitigating the effects of these experi
broad psyc hological inventories like ence s on its victims.
the M MPP7 or the California Psycho
logical Inventory3 1 or else ad hoc ,
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assess a variety of pathological condi- 2. AN DERSON , S . , BAC H , C. AND GRIFFITH, S.
540 C H I L D SEXUAL A B U S E

1 98 1 . Psychosocial sequelae in intrafamilial 20. JONES, C . A N D BENTOV I M , A. Sexual Abuse of


victims of sexual assault and abuse. Presented Children: Fleeting Trauma or Lasting Disas
at the Third International Conference on Child ter. Unpublished manuscript. The Hospital for
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This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.
This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.

For reprints: David Finkelhor, Ph. D . , Family Violence Research Program, University of New Hampshire, Durham,
N . H . 03824

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