| The trauma resulting from child sexual abuse (CSA) can dramatically alter a child's physical, emotional, and social development. Treating the resultant negative effects is important to mental health, law enforcement, and legal system professionals alike. Problems can arise when the forensic or judicial process of prosecuting the abuser comes in contact with the therapeutic process of trying to alleviate a child's suffering; each side is attempting to meet different goals, albeit for the wellbeing of the child that can conflict making both tasks more difficult to successfully complete. The current study is designed to initiate a dialogue between professionals from both the mental health and legal systems about the best ways for the mental health community to treat sexually abused children's psychological symptoms without disrupting the forensic process that frequently accompanies child abuse investigations. The study focuses on challenges in the therapeutic process of recovery from CSA trauma and current best practices for helping traumatized children involved in the judicial system. The current dissertation can serve as an educational tool for all professionals who work with sexually abused children in an effort to streamline the procedures of investigating and treating CSA. Limitations in the literature, implications for professionals, and suggestions for future research are also included. |
