Ethics Dilemma

An Ethical Dilemma

The act of molestation that occurs within the nuclear family is one of the most under reported acts of child maltreatment due to the secrecy that accompanies these occurrences

The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect defines child sexual assault as Contracts or interactions between a child and an adult when the child is being used for sexual stimulation of the perpetrator or another person when the perpetrator or another person is in a position of power or control over the victim ' That 's the National Center

definition but there are the state definitions . Each state has its own definition in its child protection statues . Often , these state laws are much more specific than any national definition . The American Medical Association defines child sexual abuse as "the engagement of a child in sexual activities for which the child is developmentally unprepared and cannot give informed consent . Child sexual abuse is characterized by deception , force or coercion (Flynn , 1995 . As for the object of this abuse , without an interview , one can think of the only obvious factors to consider

Consider the following incident . One night , in a moment of rare intoxication , a father stumbles into his 12 year old daughter 's bedroom and briefly fondles her . The child 's cries bring her mother into the room , and the incident does not go further . Later , the father does not recall the incident . There has been no previous history of molestation ' Regardless the father 's recollection , this is a very serious incident . First , children suffering abuse develop a range of maladaptive , anti-social and self-destructive behaviors and thoughts by trying to cope with the abuse - by trying to understand the situation and why the abuse is happening (Newton , 2001 . If they can blame themselves or something they did for the attack , then they can have a sense of control . But , they blame themselves not the adult . Arrive at no other conclusion however , it is sexual abuse . Sexual abuse can include fondling , genital exposure , intimate kissing , forced masturbation oral , penile or digital penetration of the mouth , vagina or anus . Child prostitution , pornography and cult or "ritual " abuse are specific activities also included in the definition . Incest is sexual abuse where the offender is a family member (Flynn ,1995

Most children are abused by someone they know and trust , although boys are more likely than girls to be abused outside of the family . A study in three states found 96 percent of reported rape survivors under age 12 knew the attacker , as in this incident (Flynn , 1995

The primary markers for increased risk for child sexual abuse for girls are having : few friends , absent or unavailable parents , a stepfather and conflict with or between parents

Other risk factors include : physical or mental disability separate living arrangements from both biological parents mental illness alcoholic or drug abuse in the family a parent who was physically or sexually abused as a child homes with other forms of abuse prostitution or transient adults . In our...