Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-pftt2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-09T00:44:44.227Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Factors influencing school counsellors' decision to report cases of child sexual abuse

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2016

Juliette Goldman  and
Usha Padayachi
Usha Padayachi
Affiliation:
Griffith University
Get access

Abstract

This study examines factors which influence school counsellors' decision to report suspected cases of child sexual abuse. Using a state-wide sample of 122 school counsellors, consisting of 52 males and 70 females, in Queensland, Australia, results show there was a tendency for school counsellors to under-report their suspicions of child sexual abuse. The factors which influenced school counsellors to report cases of sexual abuse were fear that the child was at risk for further abuse, and an ethical/moral obligation to report.

Type
Research papers
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 11 , November 2001 , pp. 65 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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

Abrahams, N., Casey, K., & Daro, D. (1992). Teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about sexual abuse and its prevention. Child Abuse and Neglect, 16, 229–238.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Australian Capital Territory Department of Education & Community Services (2000). Child Abuse and Neglect; Guidelines for response to concerns, Protocol between family Services and Schools, CanberraGoogle Scholar
American School Counselor Association (ASCA) (1981). ASCA position statement on child abuse and neglect. School Counselor, 28, 162–164.Google Scholar
Batchelor, E. S., Dean, R. S., Gridley, B., & Batchelor, B. (1990) Reports of child sexual abuse in the schools. Psychology In the Schools, 27, 131–137.3.0.CO;2-W>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Besharov, D. (1983). Liabilities issues in child welfare work. Washington, DC: American Bar Association.Google Scholar
Brassard, M. R., Tyler, A. H., & Kehle, T. J. (1983). School programs to prevent intrafamilial child sexual abuse. Child Abuse and Neglect, 7, 241–245.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Briere, J. & Runtz, M. (1988). The relationship of childhood sexual abuse with later psychological and sexual adjustment in a sample of college women. Child Abuse and Neglect, (10), 5–15.Google Scholar
Clearinghouse on child abuse and neglect information (1982). Who must report: Laws. Washington, DC: Author.Google Scholar
Crenshaw, W. B., Crenshaw, L. M., & Lichtenberg, J. W. (1995). When educators confront child abuse: An analysis of the decision to report. Child Abuse and Neglect, 19(9), 1095–1113.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
De Young, M. (1986). A conceptual model for judging the truthfulness of a young child's allegation of sexual abuse. American Orthopsychiatry, 56(4), 550–559.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elliot, M. (1985). Learning to kiss and tell. The Times Educational Supplement, 3600, 18–19.Google Scholar
Finkelhor, D (1994) The International Epidemiology of Child Sexual Abuse, Child Abuse and Neglect, Vol 18, No 5, pp.409–417CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Finkelhor, D. (Ed.) (1986). A sourcebook on child sexual abuse. Beverly Hills, Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Finkelhor, D. (1979). Sexually victimized children. New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Finkelhor, D. & Browne, A. (1985). The traumatic impact of child sexual abuse: A conceptualization. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 55 (4), 530–541.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Finkelhor, D. & Browne, A. (1986). Initial and long-term effects: A conceptual framework. In Finkelhor, D. & Associates (1986). A sourcebook on child sexual abuse. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Finlayson, L. M. (1990). Professional judgements related to child abuse reporting laws in child sexual abuse cases. Doctoral dissertation. Michigan State University.Google Scholar
Furniss, T. (1991). The multi-professional handbook of child sexual abuse: The integrated management, therapy, and legal intervention. London: Routlege.Google Scholar
Gamblin, L. D. Jr. & Prout, H. T. (1983). School counselors and the reporting of child abuse: A survey of state laws and practices. The School Counsellor, 30 (5), 358–367.Google Scholar
Goldman, J (1995). All of Me. Sex education for Juniors. Addison-Wesley-Longman, Melbourne.Google Scholar
Goldman, R. J. & Goldman, J. D. G. (1982). Children's sexual thinking. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd.Google Scholar
Goldman, R. J. & Goldman, J. D. G. (1988a). The prevalence and nature of the child sexual abuse in Australia. Australian Journal of Sex, Marriage and Family, 9, 94–106.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldman, R. J. & Goldman, J. D. G. (1988b). Show me yours: Understanding children's sexuality. Victoria: Penguin Books.Google Scholar
Goldman, J. D. G., and Padayachi, U. K. (1997), The prevalence and nature of child sexual abuse in Queensland, Australia, Child Abuse and Neglect. Vol 21, No 5, pp489–498.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goldman, J. D. G., and Padayachi, U. K. (2000a). The perpetrators of child sexual abuse in Queensland, Australia, Children Australia, Vol 25, No.2, pp28–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldman, J. D. G., and Padayachi, U. K. (2000b). School counselors' knowledge of reporting laws and the nature of child sexual abuse. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling. Vol 10, No 1, 1–18CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldman, J. D. G., and Padayachi, U. K. (2000c), Some methodological problems in estimating incidence and prevalence in child sexual abuse, The Journal of Sex Research, Vol 37, No 4, pp 305–315.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldman, J. D. G. and Ronkin, C. (2000) The concept of childhood with particular reference to child sexual abuse, in Child Sexual Abuse in Queensland: Selected Research Papers, Queensland Crime Commission and Queensland Police Service, Brisbane, Queensland.Google Scholar
Hazzard, A. (1984). Training teachers to identify and intervene with abused children. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 13, 288–293.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hazzard, A. & Rupp, G. (1986). A note on the knowledge and attitudes of professional groups toward child sexual abuse. Journal of Community Psychology, 14, 219–223.3.0.CO;2-T>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Herman, P. (1985). Educating children about sexual abuse. Childhood Education, 61, 169–174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Herzberger, S. (1985). Identifying cases of child sexual abuse: A social psychological phenomenon. Victimology: An International Journal, 1, 4, 87–96.Google Scholar
James, S. H., & Burch, K. M. (1999) School Counselors' roles in cases of child sexual behaviour. Professional School Counseling, 2 (3), 211–217.Google Scholar
Jones, D. P. H. (1990). Talking with children. In Oates, R. K. (Ed.), Understanding and managing child sexual abuse. Sydney: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.Google Scholar
Krupnick, M. I. (1981). A survey of school psychologists' awareness of and attitudes toward incest. Doctoral dissertation. Rutgers University.Google Scholar
Lamond, D. A. P. (1989). The impact of mandatory reporting legislation on reporting behaviour. Child Abuse and Neglect, 13, 471–480.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Levin, P. G. (1983). Teachers' perceptions, attitudes, and reporting of child abuse and neglect. Child Welfare, 62, 14–20.Google Scholar
McFadden, E. J. (1989). Counseling abused children. ERIC Counseling and Personal Services Clearing House. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1259.Google Scholar
Minard, S. M. (1993). The School Counselor's role in confronting child sexual abuse. School Counselor, 41, (1), 9–15.Google Scholar
Muehleman, T. & Kimmons, C. (1981). Psychologists' views on child abuse reporting, confidentiality, life and the law: An exploratory study. Professional Psychology, 12, 631–638.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
New South Wales Department of Education and Training (2000). Protecting and Supporting Children and Young People: Revised Proceedures, SydneyGoogle Scholar
New South Wales. Child Protection Council (1987). New South Wales Child Protection Council Newsletter, 3, Sept.Google Scholar
Northern Territory Department of Education (1998). Child Maltreatment Responsibility to Report, in Schools Policy Handbook. Darwin.Google Scholar
Olson, E. (1985). A collaborative approach to prevention of child sexual abuse. Victimology: An International Journal, 10, 131–139.Google Scholar
Padayachi, U. K, (1994). The Nature and Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse in Queensland and School Counselors' Responses, PhD thesis, University of Queensland, Australia.Google Scholar
Petrie, S. (1986). Child abuse and neglect: Guidelines for school personnel. Brisbane College of Advanced Education, Kelvin Grove Campus, Brisbane.Google Scholar
Queensland Department of Education (1998), Policy Statement No 128, 14 April. Brisbane.Google Scholar
Queensland Department of Education, Education Queensland (1999), HS-17 Child Protection, in Manual. BrisbaneGoogle Scholar
Rencken, R. H. (1989). Intervention strategies for sexual abuse. American Association for Counseling and Development. VA: Alexandria.Google Scholar
Riggs, R. S. (1982). Incest: The school's role. Journal of School Health, 52, 365–370.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sgroi, S. M., Porter, F. S. & Blick, L. C. (1982). In Sgroi, S. M. (Ed.), Handbook of clinical intervention in child sexual abuse. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.Google Scholar
South Australian Department of Education, Training and Employment, (2000), Schooling Sector. Suspected child abuse and neglect: Legal responsibilities. Information Package for Mandated Notifiers, Adelaide.Google Scholar
Tong, L. & Oates, R. K. (1990). Shortterm effects of child sexual abuse. In Oates, R. K. (Ed.), Understanding and managing child sexual abuse. Sydney: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers.Google Scholar
Vevier, E. & Tharinger, D. J. (1986). Child sexual abuse: A review and intervention framework for school psychologist. Journal of School Psychology, 24, 293–311.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Walker, C. E., Bonner, B. L. & Kaufman, K. L. (1988). The physically and sexually abused child: Evaluation and treatment. New York: Pergamon Press.Google Scholar
Western Australia Education Department, (1994) The Identification of Child Abuse and neglect. Procedures, PerthGoogle Scholar
Whetsell-Mitchell, J. (1995) Indicators of child sexual abuse: Children at risk. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 18 (4). 319–340.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wilder, P. (1991). A counselor's contribution to the child abuse referral network. The School Counselor, 38, 203–213.Google Scholar
Wilson, J., Thomas, D. & Schuette, L. (1983). Survey of school counselors on identifying and reporting cases of child abuse. The School Counselor, 30, 299–305.Google Scholar
Zeifert, M. (1982). Adolescent abuse and neglect. Ypsilanti, MI: Eastern Michigan UniversityGoogle Scholar
Zellman, G. L. (1990). Linking schools and social services: The case of child abuse reporting. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 12(1), 41–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar