Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T15:13:00.437Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Children's Perceptions of Personal Safety Issues and their Vulnerability to Molestation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Freda Briggs  and
Russell M.F. Hawkins
Freda Briggs*
Affiliation:
De Lissa Institute of Early Childhood and Family Studies at the University of South Australia
Russell M.F. Hawkins
Affiliation:
Psychology at the University of South Australia, and a Clinical Psychologist in part time private practice
*
Prof. F. Briggs, De Lissa Institute of Early Childhood & Family Studies, Lorne Avenue, Magill, SA 5072. Tel: 08 3024583 Fax: 08 302 4723
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Interviews with children aged from 5 to 8 highlighted their vulnerability to molestation. This vulnerability is based in part on children's developmental levels. These include a limited capacity for abstract thought which renders some well intentioned attempts at child protection ineffective. Designers need to consider these developmental limitations when they develop child protection programs. Common parenting practices are also implicated in the perpetuation of children's vulnerability. These practices make it unlikely that a child would have the confidence to report adult-initiated sexual misbehaviour to a parent. Education is necessary to inform parents about ways in which they can reduce children's vulnerability by changing their own practices.

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 18 , Issue 3 , 1993 , pp. 4 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abel, G., Becker, J.V., Mittelman, M., Cunningham-Rathner, J., Rouleau, J.L. & Murphy, W.D. (1987) ‘Self-reported sex crimes of non-incarcerated paraphiliacs.’ Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2(1) pp3–25.Google Scholar
Bowen, J.K. (1988a) ‘Child sexual abuse: Are Australian families also threatened with a witch hunt?’ Australian Family, 9, pp5–16.Google Scholar
Bowen, J.K. (1988b) Anti-victim training programmes: The aspects that concern some parents and teachers. Paper presented at the conference of the Australian Family Association.Google Scholar
Briggs, F. & Hawkins, R.M.F. (1993) Follow-up data on the effectiveness of ‘Keeping Ourselves Safe’ when used with children of 5-8 years. Report to New Zealand Police Law Related Education. Wellington.Google Scholar
Briggs, F. (1991) ‘Child protection programs: Can they protect young children?’ Early Child Development and Care, 67, pp61–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Briggs, F. (1990) Second report: Evaluation of the protective behaviours program in eight education department junior primary schools-Stage 2: Checking the retention rates after 9 months. Report to the Director General for Education. South Australia. August.Google Scholar
Briggs, F. (1988) ‘South Australian parents want child protection programs to be offered in schools and preschools.’ Early Child Development and Care, 34, pp167–178.Google Scholar
Briggs, F. (1986) ‘The response of teacher education curriculum to teacher's needs relating to child abuse.’ Journal of Teaching Practice, 6(2), pp5–15.Google Scholar
Elkind, D. (1981) ‘Recent research in cognitive and language development’ in Benjamin, L.T. Jr (ed.) The G. Stanley Hall lecture series. Volume 1. Washington DC: American Psychological Assoc. Google Scholar
Elkind, D. (1976) Child development and education: A Piagetian perspective. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Finkelhor, D. & Strapko, N. (1987) ‘Sexual abuse prevention education: A review of evaluation studies.’ in Willis, D.J., Hoder, E.W. & Rosenberg, M. (eds.) Child abuse prevention. New York: Wiley.Google Scholar
Finkelhor, D. (1984) Child sexual abuse: New theory and research. New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Hawkins, R.M.F. (1993) ‘Hypnotherapist-client sexual intimacy.’ International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (in press).Google Scholar
Hunt, G., Hawkins, R. & Goodlet, T. (1992) ‘Parenting: A survey of community needs.’ Children Australia 17(3) pp9–12.Google Scholar
Johnson, B. (1991) Why some teachers don't teach protective behaviours. Paper presented to the 5th National Protective Behaviours Conference, Adelaide, Sept. pp7–8.Google Scholar
Kraizer, S.K. (1986) ‘Rethinking prevention.’ Child Abuse & Neglect, 10, pp259–261.Google Scholar
Krivacska, J. (1990a) Designing child sexual abuse prevention programs. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas.Google Scholar
Krivacska, J. (1990b) Sexual abuse prevention programs. Can they cause false allegations? Paper presented at the 98th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Boston, Massachusetts. August 14th.Google Scholar
MacFarlane, K. & Waterman, J. (1986) Sexual abuse of young children. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Partington, G. (1988) Schools and child abuse. Paper delivered to the AFA Forum. Melbourne. April.Google Scholar
Partington, G. (1985) The treatment of sex in South Australia. Adelaide: Malvern Press.Google Scholar
Piaget, J. (1965) The moral judgement of the child. New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Tharinger, D.J. (1987). ‘Children and sexual interest.’ in Thomas, A. & Grimes, J. (eds.) Children's needs: Psychological Perspectives. Washington, DC: National Association of School Psychologists.Google Scholar
Wakefield, H. & Underwager, R. (1988) Accusations of child sexual abuse. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas.Google Scholar