Abstract

Focusing on actual behaviors that occurred during sexual abuse, the present study hypothesized that variations in offending behavior distinctively affect victims of child sexual abuse. Based on the previous literature, a two-way behavioral thematic structure in child sexual abuse is suggested, namely Coercion and Involvement. Differences in offending behavior are expected to distinctively affect victims’ symptoms (e.g., PTSD-type symptoms, behavioral problems, self-esteem, sexualized behavior). Finally, moderating variables affecting victims’ symptoms, such as victim’s age at the time of offense and abuser-victim relationships, are explored.