Mental health articles

child sexual abuse by uncles and male cousins Uncles and male cousins are the other relatives who frequently commit sexual abuse. While uncles and cousins abuse at approximately the same rate as fathers (Russell, 1986), there is almost nothing in the literature about abuse by these extended family members. There are only two known studies on abuse by cousins (De Jong, 1989; Russell, 1986) and two on abuse by uncles (Margolin, 1994; Russell, 1986). Yet, approximately 4% to 5% of all women and 1% of all men have been abused by uncles, whereas 1% to 3% of all women and 1% of all men have been abused by cousins. African American females are abused by male cousins approximately twice as often as Caucasian females (Wyatt, 1985). Russell (1 986) was the first to investigate sexual abuse by uncles. In her random retrospective community sample of 930 females, there were 48 incidents of childhood sexual abuse by an uncle and none by an aunt. Uncles, like grandfathers, were more prone to abuse at the least severe level, and only 23% used physical force. Most of the incidents of sexual abuse occurred around the rituals of greetings and farewells. Interestingly, some of the uncles also behaved in a sexually predatory fashion with adult relatives, and 41% were known to have sexually abused another child. Margolin (1 994) assessed characteristics of substantiated abuse by uncles or aunts. Of the 151 perpetrators, only three were aunts. Yet, aunts were 28 times more likely than uncles to provide childcare, whereas uncles perpetrated 48 times more abuse than aunts. Thus, while uncles provided only about 3% of the childcare given by aunts or uncles, they perpetrated 98% of the abuse. These findings again highlight the striking gender bias in child sexual abuse. In Margolin’s (1994) study, uncles obtained access to the children in several ways. In the most prevalent type of abuse, 24% of uncles abused the children when they visited in the uncles’ homes, the vast majority of whom were spending the night, usually to have more time with their cousins. Another 21% of uncles were providing temporary childcare at the time of the abuse. Of interest, almost half of the perpetrators in this group were less than 21 years of age. Still another 19% of uncles were living with the nieces or nephews they abused. These men often had a history of drinking problems as well as a criminal or psychiatric history. The final larger category of abuse (14%) occurred when children visited their grandparent’s homes. Uncles were either visiting or were living there. Again, approximately half of these offenders were less than 21 years of age. In a minority of cases, abuse included penetration (17%), lasted for more than a year (28%), or included force or threat (22%). In approximately one-quarter of cases, the perpetrator was known to have a previous history of sexual abuse, and in 11% of these cases parents were aware of the previous record. Indeed, 6% of parents knew about their children’s abuse but continued to allow them to visit the uncle. Abuse by cousins is also prevalent, accounting for 4% to 8% of all abuse. Overall, 1% to 3% of the population is abused by cousins (Tables 7-1 and 7-2). Although victims are predominantly female, boys are also at risk for abuse by cousins, as shown in Table 7-2. Not surprisingly, approximately 80% of this abuse is committed by cousins within 10 years of age of the victim. In Russell’s (1986) community prevalence study, cousin offenders were 16 to 18 years old on average, whereas victims were seven to 11 years old. De Jong (1989) also found that most abuse occurred only one time (59% to 84%), although Russell found that 22% of the victims were abused for more than two years. Further, this abuse is typically severe. In De Jong’s study, penetration was attempted or completed in 69% of the cases, and physical injury occurred in 33% of cases. Almost half of the victims reported being threatened or of having been forced to participate. Approximately half of the abuse incidents occurred in the victim’s home, with the other half occurring in the offender’s home. Of the victims, 76% lived in single-parent homes. In summary, abuse by uncles and cousins is also similar to that of other types of child sexual abuse in that perpetrators are primarily male, whereas victims are primarily female. Access to the child is usually gained while providing childcare (uncles) or while visiting (uncles and cousins).

Tags: child, sexual abuse