Event Title

Child Sexual Abuse

Presenter Information

Ayomide Ojo, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 202

Start Date

9-4-2012 9:00 AM

End Date

9-4-2012 10:00 AM

Student's Major

Psychology

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Kevin J. Filter

Mentor's Department

Psychology

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

The purpose for this research is to learn about child sexual abuse and how it is addressed in the schools. Child sexual abuse can have significant impacts on child development and we hope to learn more about ways in which supports for these children can be enhanced. Data were collected via phone interviews with school social workers in MN and their responses to 20 open-ended questions. Notes taken from phone interviews were summarized qualitatively relative to the existing literature on understanding and supporting children who have been sexually abused. Specific topics addressed include (a) demographics of victims, (b) indicators/symptoms of abuse, (c) family functioning amongst those abused, (d) supports provided to victims, and (e) how victims cope with the experience. We hope that this study will increase awareness about child sexual abuse and how it being addressed in school.