EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Education and Support for Non-Offending Parents of Sexually Abused Children A Needs Assessment
Purpose of Study. The purpose of this study was to determine the emotional,
educational, and psychosocial needs of non-offending parents whose children
have disclosed sexual abuse at first witness Child Abuse Resource Center (CARC).
In addition, it was assessed whether parents would be likely to attend a parent
education/support group, and what topics would be most helpful in meeting their
given needs.
Methodology Used. The unit of analysis was any non-offending parent whose
child had been interviewed at first witness CARC and disclosed sexual abuse
between the dates of January 1, 1996 and August 3 1, 1998. The population that
was drawn was purposefully selected between the above mentioned dates. The sample
was selected by running several queries on the data base at first witness CARC.
The sample that was drawn consisted of ninety-four non-offending parents whose
children have been interviewed at first witness between the dates of January
1, 1996 and August 31, 1998. Surveys were sent to ninety-four people and thirteen
were returned as unknown address. Thus, the sample size was eighty-one.
The research design included an anonymous survey that was developed, in part,
on information collected from key informants. The survey asked the subjects
to respond to what types of emotional, educational, and psychosocial needs they
had in relation to the sexual abuse of their child. The survey was an original
measuring instrument constructed by the researchers.
Variables that were measured in the survey were the emotional, educational,
and psychosocial needs of the sample. Each variable corresponded to questions
on the survey. One survey was mailed to subjects. A reminder post card followed
two weeks after the survey prompting subjects to send in their survey if they
had not done so. Surveys that were returned were scored according to frequency
of response by each participant. Qualitative information was analyzed to identify
common themes that were present in the subject's remarks.
Results Obtained. Thirteen surveys were completed and returned to the
researchers. Our survey response rate was 16%. Emotional needs were identified
by both the parents and the family system. Needs included anger, fear, resentment,
disappointment, and bitterness. Educational needs indicated the concern or question
regarding impacts of abuse on children, child behaviors, dealing with changes
in your child and court procedures. Psychosocial needs included support systems
used in coping, a confidant to share with, and prevention from receiving support.
Common themes centered around feeling very alone and shameful as reasons not
being able to share with others.
Eighty-five percent (11) of parents indicated that they would be likely to attend
a parent education/support group if one was developed. Topics indicated by subjects
included short and long term effects of sex" abuse on children.
Discussion of results. The results must be examined carefully in light
of the low response rate. However, it is important to note that the information
obtained in this study is similar to previous research and literature surrounding
the issue of non-offending parents whose children have been sexually abused.
Limitations of the study. One limitation is survey research itself. This
type of research poses several limitations that have an impact on the collection
of data. Secondly, the nature of this topic is very emotional and delicate.
Lack of personal contact could have inhibited responses. Finally, it is not
possible to generalize to the larger population.
Recommendations. It is our recommendation that a parent education/support
group be developed at first witness CARC. Recommendations for future research
could include interviewing professionals who work in the sexual abuse field
for input regarding what services are lacking. Also, researching numerous community
agencies rather than just one may yield more conclusive results.
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