Search

The Neglect Scale was designed as a measure of neglect of children's basic needs by caretakers. It measures neglect of physical, emotional, supervisory, and cognitive needs. The version of the Neglect Scale described in this report can be used in interview or questionnaire format with adolescents to describe their current situations or with adults to describe neglect when they were growing up. Preliminary psychometric data based on a college student sample (340 to 359 students) is presented for the full 20-item scale, including the 4 subscales, and for 8-item and 4-item short forms. These preliminary data indicate that the Neglect Scale has a high level of internal consistency reliability. Evidence is also presented in support of construct validity. Limitations of the Neglect Scale are discussed, and modifications that enable the scale to be used with a variety of populations are described. An attachment presents the scale. (SLD)

This research was designed to find out more about the characteristics of fathers who sexually abuse their daughters, with the goal of helping to prevent such abuse and to identify possibly high risk populations. The sample consisted of 118 recently identified incestuous biological fathers and a matched comparison group of 116 non-abusive biological fathers. The men were interviewed at length about their childhood experiences, family life, and sex and social histories. The incestuous fathers also provided detailed information on the sexual contacts with the daughter. The comparison fathers were simply asked about their relationship with their daughter. The study found the incestuous fathers to be a heterogeneous group on a variety of dimensions. Contrary to popular conceptions about incestuous fathers, some molested very young children; others molested older children. A large proportion molested children outside the family in addition to the incestuous abuse, while others only molested family members. Some had a general arousal to children; others did not. Five distinct types of incestuous fathers were identified: sexually preoccupied; adolescent regressives; instrumental sexual gratifiers; emotionally dependent; and angry retaliators. Incestuous fathers as a group manifested disturbances or traumas that may be useful in understanding the sources of their behavior and identifying high risk populations. Incestuous fathers did appear to have been less involved in caring for their daughters prior to the onset of abuse. (ABL)

Scientific investigations of the relationship between race and rape have been flawed by the acceptance of official statistics and have been influenced by prevailing myths about rape and race. This paper proposes a theoretical framework for understanding rape and race. The thesis is presented that only the black victim of sexual assault is viewed by society as a legitimate victim. The society is able to neutralize such assaults against black victims by denying the responsibility of the perpetrator, denying that the black woman was injured by the assault, and denying that such assaults constitute victimization of black women. Historically, this has been supported by the legal system which treats white and black rape victims differently. Public reports, serious treatment in court, criminal charges, and court sentences are less common when black women are raped. Further research is recommended to explore the impact of slavery on the victimization of black females and the influence of the patriarchal system in legitimizing the victimization of all women. New models must be developed for understanding all categories of race and rape. Statistical information and references are provided. (Author/VM)

Of the 129 women interviewed, a large portion (38%) did not recall abuse reported 17 years earlier. Those who were younger when abuse occurred or were molested by an acquaintance were more likely to have no recall. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Periods with no memory should not suggest abuse never occurred. (52 references) (BF)