Child Abuse and Neglect

The article Child Sexual Harassment and Subsequent Relational and Personal Functioning: The Role of Parental Support reflects on the non-offending parent’s role in the life of a child who has been sexually assaulted by the other partner. The study makes us realize that the majority of couples try to fix their problems at home. However, in confirmed cases, only 14 percent of non-offending parents intervene in the sexual harassment act. 15% of all the cases that were studied are not intervened, and about 71% of non-offending parents have no knowledge that their kids are victims of sexual assault. The research relates to the issue of the book as we see Pecola being raped by her father yet her mother does not take any intervention measures. By looking at the publication on the long-term effects of child sexual abuse, it is clear that there is the need to raise awareness on the importance of proper intervention measures for children who are sexually assaulted by close family members. The goal is similar to that of Diana Miller in the article she wrote during the sexual assault awareness month.

Hall, Melissa and Hall Joshua. “The Long-Term Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Counselling Implications.” 2011. counselling.org. Web. 7 May 2017.

The article by Hall and Joshua explores the meaning of childhood sexual abuse and reviews the impact it has on the lives of the children and addresses the impact of counseling programs that the children go through. Statistics taken in the article show that approximately 38% of all women were victims of childhood or adolescent sexual abuse. The statistics include rape and other violent sexual practices and those related to touch, and less violent forms of sexual abuse are reported less. Therefore, the number of children who may have been sexually abused is greater, and this means that there is the need to create awareness on the safety of the children. Just like the other two sources, this article reinforces on the need to place children as a priority in sexual abuse intervention measures.

Miller, Diana. “Sexual Assault Awareness Month- What You Should Know.” 1 May 2017. Winona Post. Web. 7 May 2017. .

Diana Miller’s article on sexual assault awareness indicated that more than seven out of every ten rapes that children suffer are committed to people who are known to the victim. She also stated that nearly 60% of all these cases are not reported. Therefore, she was contributing to raising awareness on the prevalence of sexual assault among children. She also raised an alert on the alarming rates at which most of the perpetrators are left to walk free, yet the children continue to suffer. The article has helped reinforce the controversy addressed in the book because it is clear that more children are sexually assaulted by the day. Therefore, just like the article written by Hall and Joshua and the research conducted by Godbout et al., there is the need to raise awareness on sexual assault in children. It is also important to end the ethical controversy that sexual abuse perpetrators who are close family members should not be reported to relevant authorities. The wellbeing and safety of the children ought to come first.

Controversy Chosen and how it relates to the Book

Sexual abuse in the lives of children persists despite the efforts of the government and other organizations to educate the public and protect the children. Therefore, I have chosen to talk about sexual abuse and initiation in the lives of children especially from their parents and close family members. Statistics from the National Center for Victims of Crime show that almost 14% of all the cases reported are committed by a close family member mainly fathers, uncles, and cousins. The statistics still show that in 46% of these cases, other family members knew about the issue but did not report to relevant authorities (The National Center for Victims of Crime). In the book by Toni Morrison, most of the characters are initiated into sex by their close family members. Most of the sexual encounters in the novel are illicit. However, the characters still deny that the activities are taking place and they do not report to the relevant authorities.

I have chosen to talk about sexual abuse and initiation because it is a common issue in the modern day. Individuals also assume that it does not happen and it is important to bring attention to the public that children are often sexually molested and initiated into sex by the wrong people. Sexual abuse and initiation for children is a controversial moral issue because sometimes family members seek to protect the perpetrators. They claim to be protecting the family name or the reputation and opt for internal methods of solving the issue. However, individuals ought to realize that sexual abuse and wrong initiation has adverse effects on the lives of the children. The reputation of family members or the closeness should not come before justice for the affected children.

I am interested in ensuring that the children are adequately protected because they are the future of our country. It is the duty of every individual to make sure that the lives of children are preserved and action taken for anyone who affects their wellbeing. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, all members of the society should be involved. Therefore, individuals ought to be interested in this topic as it ensures the welfare of our children.

Assignment Two

Two Articles that Relate to the Controversy

The report on Child Sexual Abuse and Subsequent Relational and Personal Functioning is based on research conducted by Natacha Godbout, John Briere, Yvan Lussier and Stephane Sabourin on the role of parental support in the lives of children who have been sexually abused. The researchers recognized that some of the parents who are aware of child sexual abuse (CSA) do not make any measures to intervene or report the perpetrators especially when they are close family members. Therefore, the article reinforces the idea that those responsible for CSA ought to be reported no matter how close they are. An action should be taken against them to ensure that the children are protected.

The article by Melissa Hall and Hall Joshua on The Long-Term Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse focuses on the implication of the counseling programs that such children go through. The two authors noted that in addition to rape, there are many other forms of CSA. Actions such as touching of the private parts of the children, watching pornography with the children and even verbal sexual harassment are some of the most common forms of CSA that are never reported. The authors support the idea that the perpetrators of CSA ought to be reported to relevant authorities, and an action was taken against them. They are people who infringe on the fundamental rights of children, and therefore, the person who seeks to protect family relations by not reporting is promoting CSA.

Argument of Both Articles

The two articles have identified that CSA is rampant in the modern day and there is the need to increase awareness on child protection. “The majority of sexual abuse happens in childhood, with incest being the most common form,” Hall and Joshua reporting on the prevalence of CSA (Hall and Joshua). Both articles have also identified that people believe that CSA is wrong and there is the need for intervention. “There are many forms of childhood sexual abuse. The sexual assault can involve seduction by a beloved relative, or it can be a violent act committed by a stranger. Sexual abuse can be hard to define because of the many different forms it can take on, the different levels of frequency, the variation of circumstances it can occur within, and the different relationships that it may be associated with” Hall and Joshua supporting the reason why individuals seek counselling as a form of intervention on sexual abuse (Hall and Joshua). However, the measures taken for response bring an ethical controversy that is well addressed in both articles.

Despite the fact that most of the CSA acts are committed by close family members, they are not reported to the authorities. ”Of 348 adults engaged in a stable romantic relationship, 59 (17%) reported sexual abuse. In this subgroup, 14% (n = 8) reported parental intervention after the abuse was disclosed (i.e., support), 15% (n = 9) reported a lack of parental intervention after abuse disclosure (i.e., nonsupport), and 71% (n = 42) reported that their no abusive parent(s) was(were) unaware of their abuse”, the report given by Godbout to demonstrate that adequate intervention measures for the children are not taken (Godbout, Briere and Sabourin). Some of them are ignored entirely; others assume that the child is lying and others use mediators to solve the issue. However, it is an ethical controversy, and just like other offenders, these perpetrators need to be reported and a legal action taken against them. “An actor–partner interdependence model, showed different patterns for men and women and highlighted the importance of considering relational dynamics in dyads of CSA survivors”, the research by Godbout et al., confirmed that there is the need to increase an awareness to ensure that CSA perpetrator face the law (Godbout, Briere and Sabourin).

Relation between the Two Articles

Both articles address the prevalence of CSA, especially from close family members. The authors have also raised concern over the inadequacy of the intervention measures taken. Both publications point out that CSA affects the lives of children and may result in psychological issues, depression and low self-esteem especially when no intervention measures are taken against the perpetrators. The kids end up blaming themselves for the action and see as though it is their fault. Proper response measures, therefore, can help the children to overcome the ordeal quickly and reduce the chances of repeat offenders.

How the Novel Relates to the Controversy

In the novel, The Bluest Eye, Pecola experiences CSA from her father. Cholly rapes his daughter because he was humiliated by two racist men who forced him to have sex as they watched (Morrison 54). When Pecola’s mother learns of what has happened to her daughter, she fails to believe her. In fact, she beats her up, and this leads Pecola to a church where she goes to seek consolation. However, the sham mystic at the church also does not help the poor girl and instead uses her to kill a dog that he dislikes (Morrison 62). Just like in the modern day, there are no measures that are taken against Pecola’s father. In the end, the assault overpowers Pecola, and she becomes mad. The same kind of reaction is seen in individuals who suffer CSA as they end up with low self-esteem, a negative mental attitude which develops into depression at the end.

Works Cited

Godbout, Natacha, et al. “Child Sexual Abuse and Subsequent Relational and Personal Functioning: The Role of Parental Support.” Child Abuse and Neglect 38.2 (2014): 317-325. Web.

Hall, Melissa and Hall Joshua. “The Long-Term Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Counselling Implications.” 2011. counselling.org. Web. 7 May 2017.

Miller, Diana. “Sexual Assault Awareness Month- What You Should Know.” 1 May 2017. Winona Post. Web. 7 May 2017. .

Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. New York: Random House, 1999. Web.

The National Center for Victims of Crime. Child Sexual Abuse Statistics. 20 December 2012. Web. 7 May 2017.