ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to examine theoretical perspectives of child sexual abuse (CSA) and family dysfunction. Although an exhaustive review of the many theories and models in this area is beyond the scope of this chapter, we review several theories that may be useful for practitioners, policymakers, educators, and others interested in CSA and also explore how CSA is related to family dysfunction. Theories of CSA often emphasize either risk factors or sequelae (Higgins & McCabe, 1994); we focus on risk factors and practice models because of their relevance for developing prevention and treatment efforts. We begin by discussing the importance of theory in research, practice, policy, and education, followed by a brief discussion of different levels of theories, and a review of several theories. We end with an overview of how the theories address ethnic considerations and a section on conclusions and implications.
