Child protection and children’s welfare: complementary priorities?

Sharland, E. (1999) Child protection and children’s welfare: complementary priorities? In, Bagley, C. and Mallick, K. (eds.) Child Sexual Abuse and Adult Offenders: New Theory and Research. Aldershot. Ashgate Publishing, pp. 211-217.

Abstract

Synopsis: The aim of this book is to bring together contributions from researchers in Canada, Britain and Australia. The chapters on Canada point to the interaction of physical, emotional and sexual abuse in influencing particular kinds of adjustment in child victims of sexual abuse. Two independent pieces of research show that within-family sexual abuse is only harmful when it is combined with family dysfunction and/or other types of abuse. The complexities of family structure surrounding sexual abuse are brought out in the British contributions for how social workers intervene on behalf of child victims, and how mothers react in supporting child victims. Two chapters focus on the worst type of outcomes from physically, emotionally and sexually abusive homes. A typology emerges from one of these chapters. The other chapter provides a systematic comparison with adolescent sex-trade workers in the Philippines, and reaches the conclusion that exploitation of young prostitutes is more profound in Canada. Another chapter reviews theoretical and substantive writings on men and women who abuse children physically and sexually. #FEDA sample is analyzed of those who murder children, and those who sexually assault them, and a theoretical typology is derived. The final chapter provides data on suicide in men who have abused children. The Australian contribution is an essay on the sociology of knowledge in the field of child sexual abuse, showing the complexities of definition and the minefields which face those whose precipitant action may cause victims more harm.

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