An examination of attitudes to child sexual abuse and training needs of social workers in Taiwan and the united kingdom

Abstract

Literature suggests that culture is a factor in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse. One of the aims of this study is to examine this hypothesis. Responses to field work and literature reviews suggest further that workers face some particular difficulties in dealing with child sexual abuse. Indeed social workers are very often the key worker in dealing with child sexual abuse m the initial stages. Therefore, another aim of this study is to examine the responses of social workers to difficulties in different cultures to child sexual abuse. Finally the training needs of social workers in this aspect of this field work is examined. This study examines the attitudes and responses to sexually abused children of samples of social workers in Taiwan and the UK. The study explains differences and similarities related to the nationality of the respondents. The specific issues include the definitions of child sexual abuse, the initial effects on victims, the long-term effects on survivors, the difficulties in dealing with child sexual abuse, and the training needs of social workers. The research instruments consist of closed questionnaires, open questionnaires, and interviews. The data is analysed using appropriate statistical techniques. The results are as follows:1. Both samples felt that a clear definition was necessary in the identification and support of abused children. The result also suggests that social workers in Taiwan and the UK differed on issues surrounding "adult's power" and the initial effects on male and female victims and the long-term effects on female victims, and the difficulties in dealing with child sexual abuse.2. Similarities were found in respondents lack of experience when dealing with male victims and the training needs in dealing with child sexual abuse. Several conclusion were made regarding the significance of child sexual abuse in the two communities, and the need to develop further training and support for social workers. Suggestions for further research are identified.