*[RESPONDING TO CHILD VICTIMS & WITNESSES OF FAMILY VIOLENCE\
]{.underline}*

#### Nikki R. Wooten, MSW, LCSW-C

**Social Work Consultant**

######### Armed Forces Center for Child Protection

[**nrwooten@bethesda.med.navy.mil**](mailto:nrwooten@bethesda.med.navy.mil)

**301-295-0881**

**DSN 295-0881**

CHILD VICTIMIZATION

**Physical Abuse**\--Nonaccidental physical injury of a child 18 yrs or
younger by or allowed by a primary or temporary caregiver which creates
substantial risk of harm, disfigurement, impairment of bodily function,
or death.

**Sexual Abuse**\--When an adult, authority figure, or significantly
older child engages a child in activities for sexual gratification

> •Touching---fondling, masturbation, intrusive behaviors, penetration
>
> •Non-touching---pornography, exposing genitalia, photography,
> exploitation, voyeurism

**Partner Violence**\--Pattern of behavior used to establish power and
control over another person through fear and intimidation---threats or
violence

•Each year more than 10 million children witness family violence

•70% of men who batter either physically or sexually abuse their
children

•Attempts to intervene leads to injury

•Negative emotional, social and developmental outcomes

**[Parent Factors]{.underline}**

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **PARENTS**           | **DISCIPLINE**        | **CHILD'S**           |
|                       |                       |                       |
|                       |                       | **NEEDS**             |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| ##                    | **Ignoring**          | **Empathetic**        |
|                       |                       |                       |
| ## NONABUSIVE         | **Time Out**          | #### U                |
|                       |                       | nderstand limitations |
|                       | **No Privileges**     |                       |
|                       |                       |                       |
|                       | ###                   |                       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **ABUSIVE**           | **Shout**             | **Unrealistic         |
|                       |                       | expectations**        |
|                       | **Threaten**          |                       |
|                       |                       | **Hostile,            |
|                       | **Spank**             | controlling**         |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

## INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION ["BREAKING THE CYCLE "]{.underline} 

## 

## Aggressive, antisocial behavior Interpersonal relationships

# 

## Disciplinary practices Extensive social supports

##  

## Responsive parenting Conscious effort

######## CHILD FACTORS

Age

Physical

Health

Behavior

## 

####### Reason and Method of Disclosure by Developmental Level Sorenson & Snow, 1991

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Developmental**     | ######                | **Catalyst**          |
|                       |  Method of Disclosure |                       |
| **Level**             |                       | **for Disclosure**    |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Preschool**         | Spontaneous           | Sexualized behavior   |
|                       |                       |                       |
|                       | Accidental            | Inappropriate         |
|                       |                       | statement             |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **School-Aged**       | Accidental            | Proximity             |
|                       |                       |                       |
|                       | Purposeful            | Sexualized behavior   |
|                       |                       |                       |
|                       |                       | Inappropriate         |
|                       |                       | statement             |
|                       |                       |                       |
|                       |                       | Friend                |
|                       |                       |                       |
|                       |                       | Educational Programs  |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Adolescence**       | ##### Purposeful      | Proximity             |
|                       |                       |                       |
|                       |                       | Anger                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

###### [DISCLOSURE PROCESS]{.underline} Sorenson & Snow, 1991

## 

## Denial

## Disclosure

## Recantation

## Reaffirmation

######## Forensic Interviews Poole & Lamb, 1998

## 

# The Flexible Protocol

## Introduction

## Truth & Lie

## Ground Rules

## Practice Interview

## Introducing the Topic

## Free Narrative

## Questioning & Clarification

## Closure

# [Planning the Interview]{.underline}

## Pre-Interview Preparation

## Physical Setting

## Interview Aids

## Videotaping

## Support Persons

## Observers

## Number of Interviewers

# 

# [Hierarchy of Questions]{.underline}

## Open-ended

## Specific, but Non-leading

## Closed or Forced Choice

## Leading

# [CHILD SEX ABUSE DYNAMICS]{.underline} Fischer & McDonald, 1998

## 

## INTRAFAMILIAL (Incest)---when a relative (parents, siblings, blood relatives, step-parents) engages in a relationship with a minor child for sexual gratification. The perpetrator is usually living in the same household with the child. 

## 

## EXTRAFAMILIAL---when persons outside the family (teachers, strangers, family friends) engages in a relationship with a minor child for sexual gratification

######## Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome Summit, 1983

Secrecy

Helplessness

Accommodation

Disclosure

Recantation

######## Effects of CSXA

Anxiety (anxiety and panic attacks)

Low self-esteem

Self-blame

Preoccupation with the abuse/intrusive thoughts

Depression

Anger and Aggression

Sleep disorders/disturbances---nightmares, waking during the night,

Unspecified and abuse specific fears---darkness, same gender, location

Withdrawal\-\--a desire not to participate in routine activities

Regressive behaviors---clingy, bedwetting, baby talk

Sexualized behaviors---masturbation, inappropriate touching

Defiance/Unresponsiveness to authority

Physical fighting

Guilt

Flashbacks

During adolescence, CSXA has been associated with depression, low
self-esteem, and suicide ideation. CSXA has also been associated with
running away, substance abuse, aggressive behavior, and sexual
promiscuity.

Other risk factors include---teenage pregnancy, early onset of sexual
activity, multiple sex partners, re-victimization, and adult rape

[INVESTIGATIVE TEAMS]{.underline}

[Goals]{.underline}

-   Maximize skillful interviewing

-   Eliminate duplication of efforts

-   Promote proper and expedient collection of physical evidence

-   Reduce secondary trauma

[Team Members]{.underline}

Child Protective Services (CPS)

Law Enforcement

Prosecutor

Medical Professional

CPS Agency Attorney

[CHILD WITNESSES]{.underline}

[Concerns]{.underline}

•Re-traumatization

•Competency

•Suggestibility

•Hearsay Exception

Testifies in criminal, civil, and juvenile court. Court preparation is
needed for child and family.

## [BIBLIOGRAPHY]{.underline}

## 

![](media/image1.png){width="0.15625in"
height="0.11458333333333333in"}**Ceci, Stephen J. & Bruck, Maggie. 1995.
[Jeopardy in the Courtroom: A Scientific Analysis of Children's
Testimony]{.underline}. Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association.**

![](media/image1.png){width="0.15625in"
height="0.11458333333333333in"}**Davies, Deborah, Cole, Judy,
Albertella, McCulloch, Lisa, Allen, Kelly, & Kekevian, Harriet. 1996. A
Model for Conducting Forensic Interviews with Child Victims of Abuse. In
[Child Maltreatment]{.underline}, 1(3), 189-199.**

> ![](media/image1.png){width="0.15625in"
> height="0.11458333333333333in"} **Faller, Kathleen. 1993. [Child
> Sexual Abuse: Intervention and Treatment Issues]{.underline}. U. S.
> Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children
> and Families.**
>
> ![](media/image1.png){width="0.15625in"
> height="0.11458333333333333in"} **Fischer, Donald G. & McDonald, Wendy
> L. 1998. Characteristics of Intrafamilial and Extrafamilial Child
> Sexual Abuse. [Child Abuse & Neglect]{.underline}, 22 (9), 915-929.**

![](media/image1.png){width="0.15625in"
height="0.11458333333333333in"}**Poole, Debra A. & Lamb, Michael E.
1998. [Investigative Interviews of Children: A Guide for Helping
Professionals]{.underline}. Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association.**

![](media/image1.png){width="0.15625in"
height="0.11458333333333333in"}**Sorenson, Teena & Snow, Barbara. 1991.
How Children Tell: The Process of Disclosure in Child Sexual Abuse.
[Child Welfare]{.underline}, 70(1), 3-15.**

![](media/image1.png){width="0.15625in"
height="0.11458333333333333in"}**Steward, Margaret S., Bussey, Kay,
Goodman, Gail S., & Saywitz, Karen J. 1993. Implications of
Developmental Research for Interviewing Children. In [Child Abuse &
Neglect]{.underline}, 17, 25-37.**

![](media/image1.png){width="0.15625in"
height="0.11458333333333333in"}**Summit, Roland. 1983. The Child Sexual
Abuse Accommodation Syndrome. [Child Abuse & Neglect]{.underline}, 7,
177-193.**