Children with Sexual Behavior Issues Jane F. Gilgun, PhD, LICSW School of Social Work University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Day 2 June 21, 2007

Topics Psychoeducation and Group Treatment Comprehensive Programs Treatment Exercises Indicators that Children are Learning to Manage Their Sexual Behaviors Emotional Costs of Work with Families Where Children Have Sexual Behavior Issues Self-Reflections

Comprehensive Programs Individual treatment –With parental involvement Peer group –With parental involvement Family Therapy Couples Therapy Case Management Multiple Family Groups Psychoeducation throughout

Appropriate Reponses Look for resources, competencies, and risks Gentle limit setting Consultation Encourage parents to –take responsibility for whatever contributions they have –Participate in whatever treatment/programs that therapists recommend –Structure, supervision, support, openness to children

Summary of Key Points Encourage children –to speak openly about their inappropriate behaviors –To participate in treatment –To follow social rules –To find someone to depend on and to trust

Summary of Key Points For social workers –Consultation –Resource issues –Collaborate with other professionals Personal relationships key –Sadness, frustration, hurt –Sense of accomplishment and meaning –Take care of yourself –Sense of humor

Family Therapy –Can do assessment of family dynamics –Can teach family new ways of interacting Direct instruction Practice By their observation of you

Family Therapy Kids can’t do what parents can’t do. –Mother: You told me Daddy was touching you sexually. I thought you were imagining it. I was wrong. I’m so sorry.

Family & Child Affect Emotionally Expressive Angry Anxious Hollow Disorganized Blaming Denying

Some Treatment Exercises for Children’s Psychoeducation Reading the book Feelings by Aliki (1987) with the children. Presenting children with cartoons where the children state what the story is about and identify what the characters might be feeling; Viewing a video about sexual abuse.

Some Treatment Exercises for Children’s Psychoeducation Anger pyramid. Feelings charades. Collages. Empathy letters. Apology letters. Reconciliation sessions.

Indicators that Children are Learning to Manage Their Sexual Behaviors Children show assertiveness. Previous taboo topics are on the table. Children can ask questions that they were too ashamed to ask in the past. Children tell on themselves. Humor

Indicators that Children are Learning to Manage Their Sexual Behaviors Signs of attachment to others Affect becomes more animated. Language becomes more concrete, specific, clear, and “pictorial” Takes responsibility for their behaviors Empathy for victims. Parents set limits.

Some Therapeutic Issues Importance of “Neutrality” –What does the term mean? Lot of case management Need for on-going consultation

Some Therapeutic Issues We’re good at soothing and comforting How much training do we have in dealing with clients who –sexualize us? –manipulate us? –trigger anger, fear, dread in us?

Self-Reflection Memories related to sexuality –Early –Funny –Confusing –Evokes strong emotions How did you learn differences between sex as a way of “getting rocks off” and communicating desire and intimacy What are the multiple meanings of sexuality?