UTILIZATION OF A SCHOOL-BASED CLINIC FOR IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF ADOLESCENT SEXUAL ABUSE

Implementation of a mental health facet of a school-based clinic provided a special opportunity to gain more detailed information about the nature and scope of sexual abuse among Hispanic adolescents. A system was implemented to gather ongoing data on the number identified as having been sexually abused. Over the 16-month period covered by this report, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 Hispanics, and 50% were seen in therapy. Findings are reported regarding the abuse and its consequences, as well as implications for research and practice.