Citation

Haugaard JJ. Am. Psychol. 2000; 55(9): 1036-1039.

Affiliation

Department of Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-4401, USA. jjh15@cornell.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, American Psychological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11036706

Abstract

Although child sexual abuse has been a concern for many researchers, therapists, and advocates for the past 3 decades, several fundamental issues regarding child sexual abuse remain unresolved. In particular, the term child sexual abuse has never been unequivocally defined. The lack of a commonly accepted definition of child sexual abuse continues to inhibit research, treatment, and advocacy efforts. Early researchers used broad and inclusive definitions of child sexual abuse--definitions that often continue to be used today. The consequences of these definitions are discussed, and strategies for developing other definitions of child sexual abuse are suggested.

Language: en