Violent trauma among child and adolescent girls: current knowledge and implications for clinicians

While the incidence and psychiatric correlates of violent trauma among chil dren and adolescents have been well documented, there is less data on the s pecific ways in which girls are affected by violence. The present review ex amines current knowledge of the prevalence and effects of violent trauma on female children and adolescents. Domestic and community violence, sexual a buse and war trauma are included. Data on etiology and treatment are also r eviewed. Current data indicate that violent trauma, particularly sexual vic timization, is highly prevalent among child and adolescent girls. Furthermo re, girls appear to be more vulnerable to post-traumatic stress reactions t han boys. Some studies report that rates of posttraumatic stress disorder a re six times higher in girls, possibly due to the sexual nature of girls' v ictimization. However, the nature of the exposure-distress relationship and the role of protective factors both bear further research. The implication s of current findings for clinical practice are discussed, in order to faci litate optimal assessment and treatment of young female victims Of violence . Int clin Psychopharmacol 2000, 15 (suppl 3):S51-S59 (C) 2000 Lippincott W illiams & Wilkins.