Sexual abuse is a highly complex phenomenon that encompasses the dynamics of sexual abuse, the wide-ranging effects it has on victims and their families, the legal rights of all the parties involved, and the role played by professional practitioners working in this field. In addition, the emotionally charged nature of this phenomenon contributes in no small measure to its complexity.

Sexual abuse: dynamics, assessment and healing was written for mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, educational therapists), medical health professionals (nursing and other medical staff), social workers, legal professionals, and those involved in the teaching profession (educators, researchers, curriculum implementers and facilitators). This book aims to assist these professional practitioners by

• exploring the dynamics of the different forms of sexual abuse
• examining the legal aspects regarding sexual offences, the forensic process, the role of the defence attorney, expert witnessing and the rights of children during the forensic process
• providing practical guidelines for assessment and therapeutic intervention by focusing on the victim, the victim's family, the perpetrator, play-therapy techniques, and substitute care for the sexually abused child.

Dr GM Spies is a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria in the Department of Social Work and Criminology. She obtained a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Pretoria in 1988 and a doctorate from the University of South Africa in 1997. She works as a private practitioner in the field of sexual abuse and is often called upon as an expert witness in sexual abuse court cases. In addition, she has published numerous articles on sexual abuse and has presented papers at various national and international conferences.