@article{ref1,
title="How does COVID-19 impact intrafamilial child sexual abuse? Comparison analysis of reports by practitioners in Israel and the US",
journal="Child abuse and neglect",
year="2020",
author="Tener, Dafna and Marmor, Amitai and Katz, Carmit and Newman, Abbie and Silovsky, Jane F. and Shields, Jennifer and Taylor, Erin",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: There is consensus in child sexual abuse (CSA) literature that intrafamilial child sexual abuse (IFCSA) has a tremendous impact on children and families while simultaneously creating challenges for practitioners. COVID-19 impacted countries worldwide and generated a global crisis resulting in impacts on daily life, however, it's effect on IFCSA is unknown.   OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare professional perspectives and experiences working with IFCSA with respect to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic within the United States and Israel.   PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participants were therapeutic, child welfare and legal professionals, who provided services to children involved in IFCSA.   METHODS: This qualitative cross-cultural comparative study analyzes professional experiences of IFCSA during COVID-19 based on an open-ended questionnaire answered online, with 37 responses from the US and 23 responses from Israel.   RESULTS: Findings reveal mostly negative changes in the dynamics of IFCSA families during COVID-19, including financial, environmental, and emotional hardships, as well as some positive changes in the relationships among family members. In terms of professional interventions, concerns were raised that COVID-19 has been detrimental to the disclosure of IFCSA, with plummeting child abuse reports. Further, risk and benefits of transferring to internet based or telephonic therapeutic interventions were shared.   CONCLUSIONS: Governmental and community efforts are needed to develop a safety net of protective factors to reduce IFCSA risks and increase resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic and future global crises. Moreover, enhanced strategies to accessing and supporting families remotely such as using technology could improve identification and response to IFCSA.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0145-2134",
doi="10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104779",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104779"
}