Citation

Barth RP, Schleske D. Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 1985; 7(4): 285-298.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0190-7409(85)80002-5

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between the establishment of comprehensive treatment programs for sexual abusers of children and the incidence of reporting of sexual abuse. The percentage of reported child sexual abuse cases of all reports of child abuse in California counties was examined from 1972 through 1981. Reports of child sexual abuse were greater for counties with treatment programs than for counties matched for size without treatment programs, even though no such differences preceded the programs. The evidence supports the conclusion that the establishment of comprehensive sexual abuse treatment programs increases the subsequent reporting of sexual abuse.