Does grooming facilitate the development of Stockholm syndrome? The social work practice implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11157/anzswj-vol28iss3id247Keywords:
Stockholm syndrome, child sexual abuse, victim-survivor, paedophile, hostage, hostage takerAbstract
INTRODUCTION: This article focuses on the problem of risk instrumentalism in social work and the way it can erode the relationship-based nature of practice and with it, the kinds of critical reflexivity required for remedial interventions to keep children safe.
METHOD: By exploring the relationship between the process of grooming and the condition known as Stockholm syndrome, the article seeks to address this problem by offering some concepts to inform a critical understanding of case dynamics in the sexual abuse of children which can explain the reluctance of victim-survivors to disclose.
FINDINGS: Beginning with an overview of the development of actuarial risk assessment (ARA) tools the article examines the grooming process in child sexual abuse contexts raising the question: “Is grooming a facilitator of Stockholm syndrome?” and seeks to answer it by examining the precursors and psychological responses that constitute both grooming and Stockholm syndrome.
CONCLUSION: The article identifies the underlying concepts that enable an understanding of the dynamics of child sexual abuse, but also identifies the propensity of practitioners to be exposed to some of the features of Stockholm syndrome.
References
Alvarez, M. B., & Alessi, E. J. (2012). Human trafficking is more than sex trafficking and prostitution: Implications for social work. Affilia, 27(2), 142-152. doi: 10.1177/0886109912443763
Berliner, L., & Conte, J. R. (1990). The process of victimization: The victims' perspective. Child Abuse & Neglect, 14(1), 29-40. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(90)90078-8
Bowlby, J. (1979). The making and breaking of affectional bonds. New York NY: Brunner-Routledge.
Broadhurst, K., Hall, C., Wastell, D., White, S., & Pithouse, A. (2010). Risk, instrumentalism and the humane project in social work: Identifying the informal logics of risk management in children's statutory services. British Journal of Social Work, 40(4), 1046-1064. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcq011
Canter, D., Hughes, D., & Kirby, S. (1998). Paedophilia: Pathology, criminality, or both? The development of a multivariate model of offence behaviour in child sexual abuse. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 9(3), 532-555. doi: 10.1080/09585189808405372
Chase, E., & Statham, J. (2005). Commercial and sexual exploitation of children and young people in the UK: A review. Child Abuse Review, 14(1), 4-25. doi: 10.1002/car.881
Child Youth and Family. (2013). The Tuituia assessment framework guidelines. Retrieved July 19, 2016, from http://www.practicecentre.cyf.govt.nz/policy/assessment-and-decision-making/resources/the-tuituia-assessment-framework-guidelines.html
Conte, J. R., Wolf, S., & Smith, T. (1989). What sexual offenders tell us about prevention strategies. Child Abuse & Neglect, 13(2), 293-301. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(89)90016-1
Cowburn, M., & Dominelli, L. (2001). Masking hegemonic masculinity: Reconstructing the paedophile as the dangerous stranger. British Journal of Social Work, 31(3), 399-415. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/31.3.399
Craven, S., Brown, S. J., & Gilchrist, E. (2006). Sexual grooming of children: Review of literature and theoretical considerations. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 12(3), 287-299. doi: 10.1080/13552600601069414
CWDC. (2006). The common assessment framework for children and young people: A guide for practitioners. Retrieved from http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/caf_for_practitioners_national_guidance.pdf
Elliott, M., Browne, K., & Kilcoyne, J. (1995). Child sexual abuse prevention: What offenders tell us. Child Abuse & Neglect, 19(5), 579-594. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(95)00017-3
Felson, M. (2008). Routine activity approach. In R. Wortley, & L. Mazerolle (Eds.), Environmental criminology and crime analysis (pp. 70-77). Cullompton UK: Willan Publishing.
Finkelhor, D. (1984). Child sexual abuse: New theory and research. New York NY: Free Press.
Gillingham, P. (2006). Risk assessment in child protection: Problem rather than solution? Australian Social Work, 59(1), 86-98. doi: 10.1080/03124070500449804
Goddard, C., & Tucci, J. (1991). Child protection and the need for the reappraisal of the social worker-client relationship. Australian Social Work, 44(2), 3-10. doi: 10.1080/03124079108550106
Graham, D. L. R., with Rawlings, E. I., & Rigsby, R. K. (1994). Loving to survive: Sexual terror, men's violence and women's lives. New York NY: New York University Press.
Gupta, J., Raj, A., Decker, M. R., Reed, E., & Silverman, J. G. (2009). HIV vulnerabilities of sex-trafficked Indian women and girls. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 107(1), 30-34. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.06.009
Hacker, F. J. (1976). Crusaders, criminals and crazies: Terror and terrorism in our time. New York NY: Bantam.
Hare, R. D., & Hart, S. D. (1992). Psychopathy, mental disorder, and crime. In S. Hodgins (Ed.), Mental disorder and crime. (pp. 104-115). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Herman, J. L. (1990). Sex offenders: a feminist perspective. In W. L. Marshall, D. R. Laws, & H. E. Barbaree (Eds.), Handbook of sexual assault: Issues, theories, and treatment of the offender (pp. 177-193). New York NY: Plenum Press.
Herman, J. L. (1997). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence - from domestic abuse to political terror. London UK: Basic Books.
Horlick‐Jones, T. (2005). Informal logics of risk: Contingency and modes of practical reasoning. Journal of Risk Research, 8(3), 253-272. doi: 10.1080/1366987042000270735
Howitt, D. (1995). Paedophiles and sexual offences against children. Oxford UK: John Wiley and Sons.
Jameson, C. (2010). The “short step” from love to hypnosis: A reconsideration of the Stockholm syndrome. Journal for Cultural Research, 14(4), 337-355. doi: 10.1080/14797581003765309
Jordan, J., Patel, B., & Rapp, L. (2013). Domestic minor sex trafficking: A social work perspective on misidentification, victims, buyers, traffickers, treatment, and reform of current practice. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 23(3), 356-369. doi:10.1080/10911359.2013.764198
Jülich, S. (2001). Breaking the silence: Restorative justice and child sexual abuse. (PhD Thesis), Massey, Albany. Retrieved from http://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/2110
Jülich, S. (2005). Stockholm syndrome and child sexual abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 14(3), 107-129. doi: 10.1300/J070v14n03_06
Kuleshnyk, I. (1984). The Stockholm Syndrome: Toward an understanding. Social Action and the Law, 10(2), 37-42.
Leberg, E. (1997). Understanding child molesters: Taking Charge. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Littlechild, B. (2005). The nature and effects of violence against child-protection social workers: Providing effective support. British Journal of Social Work, 35(3), 387-401. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bch188
Littlechild, B. (2008). Child protection social work: Risks of fears and fears of risks - Impossible tasks from impossible goals? Social Policy & Administration, 42(6), 662-675. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9515.2008.00630.x
McAlinden, A.-M. (2012). 'Grooming' and the sexual abuse of children: Institutional, internet, and familial dimensions. Oxford UK: Oxford University Press.
Munro, E. (2011). The Munro review of child protection: Final report - A child-centred system. UK: Department for Education. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/175391/Munro-Review.pdf
O'Connell, R. (2003). A typology of cyber sexploitation and online grooming practices. Lancashire: Cyberspace Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire. Retrieved from http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Society/documents/2003/07/17/Groomingreport.pdf
Oak, E. (2015). A minority report for social work? The Predictive Risk Model (PRM) and the Tuituia Assessment Framework in addressing the needs of New Zealand's vulnerable children. British Journal of Social Work. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcv028
Ost, S. (2004). Getting to grips with sexual grooming? The new offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 26(2), 147-159. doi: 10.1080/014180304200023088
Prentky, R. A., Knight, R. A., & Lee, A. F. S. (1997). Child sexual molestation: Research issues. Washington DC: U.S Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/163390.pdf
Sanford, L. T. (1980). The silent children: A parent's guide to the prevention of child sexual abuse. New York NY: McGraw-Hill.
Shlonsky, A., & Wagner, D. (2005). The next step: Integrating actuarial risk assessment and clinical judgment into an evidence-based practice framework in CPS case management. Children and Youth Services Review, 27(4), 409-427. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2004.11.007
Soskis, D. A., & Ochberg, F. M. (1982). Concepts of terrorist victimization. In D. A. Soskis, & F. M. Ochberg (Eds.), Victims of terrorism (pp. 105-135). Boulder CO: Westview Press.
Strentz, T. (1982). The Stockholm syndrome: Law enforcement policy and hostage behaviour. In F. M. Ochberg, & D. A. Soskis (Eds.), Victims of terrorism (pp. 149-163). Boulder CO: Westview Press.
Summit, R. (1983). The child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome. Child Abuse and Neglect, 7(2), 177-193. doi: 10.1016/0145-2134(83)90070-4
Van Dam, C. (2001). Identifying child molesters: Preventing child sexual abuse by recognizing the patterns of offenders. New York NY: Haworth Maltreatment and Trauma Press.
Ward, T., & Keenan, T. (1999). Child molesters' implicit theories. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 14(8), 821-838. doi: 10.1177/088626099014008003
Williams, A. (2015). Child sexual victimisation: Ethnographic stories of stranger and acquaintance grooming. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 21(1), 28-42. doi: 10.1080/13552600.2014.948085
Wilson, R. J. (1999). Emotional congruence in sexual offenders against children. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 11(1), 33-47. doi: 10.1023/a:1021328828666
Wyre, R. (1987). Working with sex offenders. Oxford UK: Perry Publications.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
By completing the online submission process, you confirm you accept this agreement. The following is the entire agreement between you and the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) and it may be modified only in writing.
You and any co-authors
If you are completing this agreement on behalf of co-authors, you confirm that you are acting on their behalf with their knowledge.
First publication
By submitting the work you are:
- granting the ANZASW the right of first publication of this work;
- confirming that the work is original; and
- confirming that the work has not been published in any other form.
Once published, you are free to use the final, accepted version in any way, as outlined below under Copyright.
Copyright
You assign copyright in the final, accepted version of your article to the ANZASW. You and any co-authors of the article retain the right to be identified as authors of the work.
The ANZASW will publish the final, accepted manuscript under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (CC BY 4.0). This licence allows anyone – including you – to share, copy, distribute, transmit, adapt and make commercial use of the work without needing additional permission, provided appropriate attribution is made to the original author or source.
A human-readable summary of the licence is available from http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, which includes a link to the full licence text.
Under this licence you can use the final, published version of the article freely – such as depositing a copy in your institutional research repository, uploading a copy to your profile on an academic networking site or including it in a different publication, such as a collection of articles on a topic or in conference proceedings – provided that original publication in Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work is acknowledged.
This agreement has no effect on any pre-publication versions or elements, which remain entirely yours, and to which we claim no right.
Reviewers hold copyright in their own comments and should not be further copied in any way without their permission.
The copyright of others
If your article includes the copyright material of others (e.g. graphs, diagrams etc.), you confirm that your use either:
- falls within the limits of fair dealing for the purposes of criticism and review or fair use; OR
- that you have gained permission from the rights holder for publication in an open access journal.
