Citation

Thomas G, Johnson CL. Child Abuse Negl. 1979; 3(3-4): 683-691.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper outlines the process of developing and implementing a new community service program for sexually abused adolescents and highlights the advantages of a functional research-service agency partnership in shortening the planning phase and sharpening the focus on such key factors as program components, site selection, and evaluation approaches.Data have been presented at the mid-point of the demonstration program's operation that show the program to be achieving its purposes in terms of impacting the rate of reporting and confirmation of child sexual abuse in the community.Other data indicate that the program is, in fact, being utilized as intended primarily by adolescents and that the incidence of reported and confirmed adolescent sexual abuse in particular is rising as a result.Impressions concerning the overwash effects of the program upon the community--and surrounding communities--have also been presented.The ultimate value of a continuing research-service agency partnership will perhaps be best determined by the quality of the final report on the program to be prepared in March, 1979. We expect chat the research emphasis upon accuracy in the data and the service interest upon interpreting their practical import will yield an honest assessment of the program's impact and its usefulness to other communities in meeting the needs of adolescent victims of sexual abuse.