Get SMART: Effective Treatment for Sexually Abused Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior

Abstract

Nearly 20% of children with a history of sexual abuse develop problematic sexual behaviors (PSBs). Effective mental health treatments for this specialized population are limited. This article presents outcome data on 62 children enrolled in the preliminary trial of the Safety, Mentoring, Advocacy, Recovery, and Treatment (SMART) model. SMART integrates individual, family, and group therapy in a strengths-based, problem-focused treatment model targeting PSB. Significant improvements were found in measures of functional impairment and PSB after participating in SMART. This preliminary study supports the effectiveness of the SMART model in ameliorating the PSB symptoms of young, sexually abused children.

Keywords:

• problematic sexual behaviors
• sexual abuse
• young children
• child abuse
• mental health
• trauma informed treatment

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Grant 5 U79 SM56215-02 from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the duPont Foundation. The authors gratefully acknowledge the children and families who received treatment at the Kennedy Krieger Institute Family Center and the clinicians who treat them.