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NZ Listener
Feb 9 - Feb
15, 2002.
Vol 182. No 3222.
Publication date: February 4, 2002
Unbelievable Abuse
Letter to the Editor
by Lynn
Crook, M.Ed (Richland, WA, USA)
Dr
Michael Corballis takes a provocative stance in his review of Lynley Hood's A
City Possessed: The Christchurch
Civic Creche Case (Books, January 26).
Discussing sexual contact between adults and children, he writes: "There
are serious, still unanswered questions as to when affectionate touching
becomes sexual, when sexual activity becomes abuse, and precisely what kinds
of abuse are likely to cause serious psychological harm, and to whom."
Corballis might want to take a look at related research and local laws.
Affectionate touching becomes sexual when the genitalia of the adult or child
are involved. Although a small group of researchers would disagree, sexual activity
between an adult and a child typically is not judged on whether it's abusive.
Instead, it's considered a crime.
Sexual abuse may damage a child and this damage may range from short to long
term. So why take the chance? Simply avoid sexual activities with children.
As for whom the abuse harms, research has yet to show that sexual activities
between adults and children harm the adults. The same does not hold true for
children.
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