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A

Abreaction. Emotional release obtained by recalling and sharing emotionally painful material. Thought to be often helpful in the healing process from an unresolved situation.

Abuse, Sexual . Contact(s) between a child and an adult, or person significantly older, or in a position of power or control over the child, where the child is being used for sexual stimulation of the older person.

Accessory. A person who contributes to or aids in the commission of a crime, before or after it is committed.

Accommodation. Fitting in or conforming to the environment. This can refer to positive changes such as a child who shifts interests to accommodate to a new step-family, or negative changes, such as a child who becomes less resistant and assertive when repeatedly sexually abused by a member of the family.

Accomplice. A person who, knowingly, assists the primary perpetrator in a crime.

Acquittal. The finding in a criminal case that a defendant is not guilty of the crime charged.

Acting out. A defense mechanism of expressing emotional conflict and feelings through actions instead of words. Often the individual does not have insight as to the meaning of the behavior and thus the conflict is not necessarily resolved.

Activate . To set into motion. To cause a nerve impulse to be energized. Once an NE is activated, a specific thought, feeling, or behavior will occur.

Actuarial Risk Assessment . An objective method of estimating a sexual offender's risk for committing a new sexual offense. Actuarial methods are generally more accurate than methods based on clinical judgment alone.

Addiction. Physiologic dependence on a chemical substance such as a drug. More recently, applied to any cycle of misuse followed by negative consequences, negative affect and repetition of the cycle. This could even include behavior patterns not involving ingestion of chemicals such as "sexual addiction", "exercise addiction" etc. in which the person wishes to stop but finds it difficult to do so. Current diagnostic terminology tends to use the term "dependence" to avoid the issue of whether or not a chemical need can or cannot be established regarding the pattern of misuse.

Adjudication. The judgment that is rendered in either a criminal or civil case.

Adjudication Hearing. A trial in juvenile court to determine if the allegations are true and constitute a need for the court to intervene.

Adjustment Disorder. Unhealthy reactions to identifiable life stressors that do not fit other specific diagnostic reaction patterns (e.g. posttraumatic stress disorder). Adjustment disorders tend to generally lessen as the stress is reduced or eliminated, or evolve into other more fixed maladaptive patterns.

Adversary System. The legal system in the U.S. in which opportunity is given to present opposing views in front of a legal body which was not involved in the investigation.

Affect. Emotion or feeling which we experience that is subjective and personal and which may be pleasant or unpleasant.

Affidavit. A written statement of facts that is formally confirmed by oath or by affirmation.

Aggravating Circumstance. A factor that if proven tends to increase the sentence. Somewhat the opposite of MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCE.

Alford Plea (also "Nolo Contendre" Plea). A client's constitutional right to be sentenced without an admission of guilt. This choice can complicate treatment goals with sexual offenders who do not have to acknowledge the offense.

Amicus Curiae. A "friend of the court". A person or agency permitted to provide the court with information that is relevant to the subject before it. E.g., A professional association may provide a summary of research on the impact of long-term foster care.

Amnesia. Partial or total loss of memory of significant events or significant chunks of time. Amnesia can be a result of neurological problems, such as head injuries or neurological deterioration or chemical interference from drugs or alcohol. Of greater controversy has been the notion of "psychogenic"  or TRAUMATIC AMNESIA resulting from emotional trauma in cases of alleged abuse where the abuse is not acknowledged by the alleged perpetrator and is alleged by the individual very long after the events reportedly took place. Clearly, this phenomenon has been repeatedly documented in combat situations in which witnesses can corroborate events. However, the risk of false allegations of child abuse years later has given rise to theories about FALSE MEMORIES. This is currently one of the greatest areas of debate in child abuse literature today.

Anal Sodomy. Sexual penetration of the ANUS by the penis of a male. In Georgia, sodomy is illegal even between consenting adults.

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). A statistical procedure commonly used in social science research adding to the objectivity of research data which allows for measurement of the "main effects" of the variables being measured in the study as well as the "interaction effects" between the different variables measured.

Anthropomorphic. The tendency to attribute human characteristics to non-human objects. Projective drawings of non-humans, such as houses or trees, often have anthropomorphic characteristics that are useful in understanding the artist's inner life.

Anti-androgens . Medications which lower levels of testosterone in post-pubescent males, and therefore reduce sex drive. Among the most common such family of medications prescribed to sexual offenders are Depo-Provera and Depo-Lupron

Anus . The lower orifice or opening of the alimentary canal or end of the digestive tract.

Appellant. The party requesting a judgment or a decision by the court- in contrast to APPELLEE.

Appellate Court. A court that reviews the decision of a lower court regarding the proper application of the law.

Appellee. The party against whom an appeal is taken- in contrast to APPELLANT. 

Apprehension- Arrest of a juvenile.

A Priori. From what goes before; from the cause to the effect; deductive; based on a hypothesis or theory rather than on an experiment or experience.

Arraignment. The legal step in which a defendant is required to plead in court to a criminal charge.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A mental disorder first identifiable in children prior to the age of 7 that includes developmentally abnormal levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Children diagnosed with ADHD are over represented in populations of sexual abuse victims. This may be a combination of factors including a tendency not act before thinking which can place a child in high risk situations with an offender more readily, and the misdiagnosis of ADHD when the abuse itself has create hyperactive symptoms in a traumatized child.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The vegetative nervous system comprised of the parasympathetic and sympathetic sections. The hypothalmus in the mid-brain appears to be the chief subcortical center for the regulation of these functions that are generally not under voluntary control through the cortex. An example of ANS activity would be the regulation of the heartbeat or dilation or contraction of blood vessels. Extreme trauma can cause the ANS to be in a chronic state of over-arousal. Generally, all of the nerves NOT part of the cerebrospinal system.

Aversive Conditioning. A behavioral modification technique of pairing an inappropriate behavior, such as a deviant sexual behavioral thought, with a noxious stimulus to reduce the probability of occurrence of the inappropriate behavior. However, aversive conditioning does NOT eliminate all possibility of the deviant behavior recurring.

Avoidant. Negatively oriented; moving away from. Child sexual abuse survivors often develop many conscious and unconscious avoidant coping strategies. Besides being highly significant to developing effective treatment plans, avoidant behaviors are also red flags when interviewing children about abuse experiences.

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B

Bail. The release of a person who has been arrested in exchange for something of financial value which is hoped will motivate that arrested person to be available to the court in the future in order to recoup some but not all of the valued security.

Bailiff. The court official responsible for keeping order in the courtroom.

Baseline . The level, value, or condition used as a reference point. (e.g. an IQ of 100 is the baseline for the entire population. e.g. a polygrapher must establish an individual's baseline readings to non-discriminating factual questions to determine what key readings later are either high or low for that individual).

Barton Clinic . A legal advisory and information organization within the Emory Law School that provides a wide range of current information affecting issues of child welfare. Found at www.childwelfare.net

Behavior. Anything that is thought, felt and/or done.

Behavioral Dynamics. Causes and effects of what is thought, felt and done; the neurological and psychological ingredients and processes which account for and explain each individual's behavior.

Behavioral Dynamics Microscope . Using all of the applicable concepts and principles of Behavioral Dynamics when studying a particular issue. Objective Truth (OT) would be more likely to occur.

Behavioral Dynamics Mirror . Exploring one's own behavior, feelings, or thoughts utilizing all relevant Behavioral Dynamics concepts and principles in a thorough and humble manner.

Behavioral Reenactment. An acting-out of part of a traumatic experience when the traumatic memory is triggered. Characteristic of traumatized young children who do not yet rely heavily on language to express strong feelings.

Bench Trial. A trial with no jury in which the judge renders the final verdict of guilt or acquittal.

Bestiality. Sexual acts with an animal. One of the PARAPHILIAS. See ZOOPHILIA

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. The highest standard of proof- used in criminal trials in order to render a guilty verdict.

Bond. The total set of dyadic threads between partners. In legal terms- a sum of money paid as BAIL or surety.

Bind Over. A finding of probable cause for grand jury or trial proceedings.

Block . A stopping of associational sequences of thought, usually caused by arousal of unconscious conflictual tensions (e.g. an adult survivor of abuse suddenly "forgets" what she was discussing in a dream about her father due to the dream content being related to traumatic amnesia about abuse by the father).

Brief. A written argument filed in court by an attorney.

Burden of Proof. An obligation by a party (the state or the plaintiff) to demonstrate to the court that the weight of the evidence in a legal action favors his/her position or argument.

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C

CAPTA (also, Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act). Federal law originating in 1974 which dictates many rules about how child abuse issues are handled.

CASA. Court Appointed Special Advocate. One specific model of Volunteer GUARDUAN AD LITEM used extensively in Georgia.

Case Law. The body of law based on previous judicial decisions as distinguished from that based on statute or other sources of law. The Daubert case would be an example of case law affecting what judges will allow as conclusions and methods entered as testimony by an EXPERT WITNESS.

Catharsis. See ABREACTION.

Cause of Action. A legal claim.

Central Nervous System . The brain and spinal chord.

Cerebellum . A major division of the brain, located above the lower portion of the brain stem. It is the chief motor coordinator.

Cerebral Cortex . The largest section of the human brain on top composed of two hemispheres and predominantly composed of neurons or nerve cells. The primary site in the brain for the perception of the 5 senses, for language, and for thinking.

Character Disorder. A personality disorder, or disorder of basic "character".

Child Abuse Protocol . A written document developed by every county in Georgia outlining the MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM policies and procedures for handling alleged child abuse cases.

Child Advocacy Center (also, CAC). A child friendly MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM organization usually involved in interviewing alleged child abuse victims, and offering a variety of intervention services.

Child Fatality Review . A set of MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM policies and procedures for investigating the cause of death for young children or for children who died under unusual or suspicious circumstances.

Child Maltreatment . Any of the acts defining abuse or neglect. That which results in "Child Deprivation ".

Child Protective Services (CPS) . The social service agency designated to receive reports, investigate and provide rehabilitation services to children and families with problems of Child Maltreatment. In Georgia, CPS services are part of the Division of Family and Children Service (DFACS) which is within the Department of Human Resources (DHR).

Clear and Convincing Proof. A middle level standard of proof which is more than a Preponderance of Evidence but less than Beyond a Reasonable Doubt.

Circuit Court of Appeal. The intermediate appeals court in the federal system.

Classical Conditioning. Learning which occurs when a conditioned stimulus such as a bell is paired directly in time with a reward such as meat powder to a dog. The dog then "learns" to salivate to the sound of the bell. Sexual abuse victims often have problems with fears associated with unrelated but paired sensory experiences when the abuse was going on. For example, a child may "panic" when smelling a cologne of the same type used by the offender, but may or may not be aware of the reason for the fear reaction. See OPERANT CONDITIONING.

Clear and convincing. An intermediate standard of proof used in court with termination of parental rights cases and other situations involving significant liberty interests at stake.

Clinical. Pertaining to the prevention, diagnosis and/or treatment of disorders. Usually in contrast to the term FORENSIC.

Clitoris. An erectile structure partially hidden between the anterior extremities of the LABIA MINORA and above the orifice of the URETHRA and the orifice of the VAGINA.

Cognitive. Including the mental processes of reasoning, memory, judgment, and comprehension. Usually distinguished from the emotional or AFFECT part of brain functioning.

Cognitive-Behavioral Modification (CBM). A form of psychotherapy leaning heavily on learning theory in an effort to link maladaptive thoughts feelings and behaviors with thinking steps which can be altered.

Cognitive Distortions (also, Cognitive Errors, Thinking Errors). A variety of different thoughts and statements that help an offenders to not think badly about themselves when committing sexual offenses.

Collateral Contacts (or Collateral Informants). People other than the client who can serve as objective sources of information. Collateral contacts are needed sources of information, in addition to clients and their direct family members.

Colposcope . A medical device allowing for improved magnification and lighting when examining the genital area. The device also easily allows for use of enhanced photographs or video of the examination.

Common Law. Law created by a judge's ruling and the doctrines implicit in those rulings.

Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). A delivery system of mental health services first financed through the federal government in 1963 to provide a broad range of services available in each community. In Georgia, CMHCs are now more privatized and are controlled by regional Boards with less direct control through the state than originally designed.

Co-morbidity. The simultaneous existence of two or more disorders (e.g. Alcohol Dependence and Major Depressive Episode). The two disorders may be related or not. Both disorders require treatment (e.g., if an individual is diagnosed with a Bi-Polar Disorder and Pedophilia, both disorders need to be treated and treatment of one by itself will not resolve the other).

Compartmentalize . To separate into isolated compartments or categories (e.g. two facts may be known which result in a third insight but the insight is absent because the facts are compartmentalized. e.g. most sexual abuse intervention professionals would be horrified if their own child was harmed but can listen to the stories of abuse of other children and not relate it at such a personal level. e.g. an adult victim of ritual abuse may compartmentalize the memory of the severe abuse as having happened to another personality which is usually unknown to the individual during their typical conscious daily routine).

Competency.  Reaching at least the minimal level of capacity (or above) to perform a given function. A defendant's attorney may claim they are not COMPETENT to stand trial. A search and seizure of items may be challenged regarding COMPETENCY TO CONSENT TO SEARCH AND SEIZURE. A defendant may render statements that indicate a lack of COMPETENCY TO CONFESS based on whether they knew their rights or based on their state of mind. Questions can be raised as to a defendant's COMPETENCY TO PLEAD GUILTY, or COMPETENCY TO WAIVE THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL, or COMPETENCY TO TESTIFY, or COMPETENCY TO REFUSE AN INSANITY DEFENSE, or even COMPETENCY TO BE SENTENCED AND/OR EXECUTED. Child victims may be challenged about their COMPETENCY TO TESTIFY due to developmental level or other factors. All of these diverse issues relate to meeting a standard of functioning in a particular role.

Complaint. In civil cases, what the plaintiff asserts the defendant did wrong.

Compulsion. A repetitive, stereotyped behavior or act that is difficult to prevent or stop even when cessation is desired by the actor. Failure to perform the act results in increased anxiety while completion of the act temporarily relieves anxiety. Compulsions can involve an unlimited range of behaviors but could include undesirable sexual behaviors. Thus, some paraphilias take on qualities of compulsion.

Concrete Thinking. Thinking tied to the senses rather than to abstract reasoning. While symptomatic of a malfunction in adults, concrete thinking is a normal part of childhood developmental process with younger children ( e.g. a 3 year old may respond, "No" to the question, "Did he take your clothes off?", but answer, "Yes", if phrased "Did he make you take your clothes off?" due to thinking concretely that the child took off the clothes rather than the more abstract idea that the perpetrator caused the clothes to be removed).

Concurrent Sentence. A sentence that is served at the same time with other sentences. As Opposed to Consecutive or Cumulative Sentence.

Conditioning. A new response resulting from psychological modifications of stimuli, responses, punishments and rewards.

Conduct Disorder. A disruptive behavioral disorder during childhood and/or adolescence, characterized by persistent violation of the rights of others. This is a pattern often found in children legally determined to be delinquent, and can sometimes be found in adolescents who commit sexual offenses to younger and more vulnerable children as one of many exploitative and negative behavioral patterns.

Confabulation. Fabrication of events in response to questions about situations that are not recalled. Some children and adults will tell tall tales about their personal histories rather than to admit they do not know an answer or that there is no dramatic answer. This is one of several problems to be aware of when interviewing persons.

Conflict. A term to describe the simultaneous occurrence of competing internal values, impulses or forces (e.g. a mother who wants to support her child who has alleged abuse, but wants to defend her boyfriend from the same allegations).

Confrontational Interview (also, One-Party Consent or Pretext Telephone Calls). The frank and direct comments made to the perpetrator of the crimes they committed. As a technique, this is sometimes used by law enforcement in a recorded telephone discussion by the victim to elicit comments by the suspect clearly depicting their innocence or guilt.

Conjoint Therapy. Therapeutic contact with two or more persons together by a therapist (e.g. two married persons who are depressed and in individual therapy also have a conjoint therapy session together).

Conscious. The aspect of mental functioning about which a person is aware. Generally thought to be composed of multiple aspects including; Behavior, Affect, Sensations, and Knowledge). In dissociative disorders and posttraumatic stress disorders, one or more of these parts may become separated or "split off" from the others (e.g. a combat veteran can have a flashback of combat and not know what it is about, but experience the event like a movie in his head of the scene). 

Consecutive or Cumulative Sentence. A sentence added on to the end of other sentences.

Contempt. A finding potentially levied at any participant in a court process who is blatantly disrespectful or willfully disobeys the judge's order. Consequences can include a fine, incarceration, or other punishments.

Continuance. Postponement of the previously scheduled date of a hearing.

Control Group. A group of research participants allowing the effect of the experimental intervention to be compared to a group that did not experience the experimental condition. See EXPERIMENTAL GROUP.

Coprophilia. Preoccupation and some sexual association with fecal material. An example of the diagnosis of Paraphilia Not Otherwise Specified.

Corpus Callosum . A very broad cable of nerves that joins the two cerebral hemispheres.

Correlation. The extent to which two measurable factors vary together. The lowest possible correlation would be zero and the highest would be either 1.0 or -1.0 (a perfect inverse relationship). An important concept, however, is that a high correlation does not necessarily indicate a causal relationship (e.g. college graduates earn higher lifetime salaries, but it might be that intelligence is the reason for the higher salary rather than the causal relationship of a college degree guaranteeing a better job).

Count. A single charge or allegation (e.g. "2 counts of Child Molestation")

Countertransference. The therapist's emotional reaction to the client. Therapists of trauma survivors can have secondary PTSD symptoms of countertransference symptoms from just listening to the clients' trauma. See TRANSFERENCE.

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). A specifically trained volunteer acting as a Guardian Ad Litem.

Covert Sensitization . See also AVERSIVE CONDITIONING. A cognitive behavioral technique of pairing a very unpleasant thought with the occurrence of a DEVIANT SEXUAL AROUSAL. For example, instructing sex offenders in treatment to imagine having their pastor to walk into a room and witness their fantasized sexual abuse of a child as the fantasy is occurring.

Criterion. A standard on which a judgment or decision may be based.

Cross-Examination. The questioning of a witness by an opposing party.

Cul-De-Sac . A street or pouch closed at one end. In psychological terms, an apparently productive approach which later proves to not work and not lead to other useful methods (e.g. phrenology was the study of the shape of the skull as indicative of mental faculties and personality characteristics. This proved to be an incorrect assumption and has misled many psychologists in the early 20th century).

Culpability. Meriting condemnation or blame.

Cunnilingus. Contact between the mouth of a person and the genitals of a female.

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D

Decompensation. The deterioration of a person's defense system resulting in increased symptomatology and lower levels of functioning. Some survivors of extreme abuse should not be pushed to recall and work through all of their most severe trauma in the early stages of treatment because it could lead to decompensation.

Defense Mechanism. Unconscious attempts to provide relief from emotional conflict. Common ones include; denial, displacement, dissociation, projection, rationalization, and regression. There are others. Offenders almost always use denial to reduce the negative self-esteem that comes from realizing how destructive child molestation behaviors are.

Default. When a defendant loses the legal right to challenge due to missing a deadline or appearance.

Defendant. The alleged wrong doer in a criminal or civil case.

Delusion. A false belief system despite clear external evidence to the contrary. The most common delusions are of persecution or grandeur.

Dementia. One of the organic mental illnesses in which there is a significant deterioration in previously acquired cognitive abilities.

Denial. One of the primitive defense mechanisms involving disavowal of negative thoughts, feelings or behaviors that are true or have occurred. It differs from lying in that the person, at least partially, believes his/her own distortion. Rejecting the full reality and responsibility of an inappropriate behavior. Denial is common among sex offenders and persons with substance addictions.

Dendrites . Highly branched fibers at the receiving end of the neuron.

Depersonalization. One of the dissociative reactions in which a person has a feeling of unreality or detachment from what is going on. Sexual abuse victims sometimes describe this experience as being like an observer to their own abuse.

Deposition. A proceeding with a witness out of court which is then transcribed and may be entered in its entirety as evidence in court without the need to attend the hearing.

Deprivation. The general term for any of the forms of abuse or neglect of children.

Desensitize . Lessening a person's emotional sensitivity to some stimulus which previously triggers a more pronounced reaction (e.g. a patient was desensitized to a traumatic trigger through repeated exposure to lesser associations to that trigger while in a relaxed state. e.g. a police officer acts nonchalant while investigating a gruesome murder. e.g. a sex offender leaves pornographic magazines lying around for a child to see to desensitize the child to sexual content.

Detention Hearing. The juvenile court equivalent of a bail hearing.

Determinate Sentence. A sentence set by the court and unchangeable by the defendant's subsequent behavior, as opposed to an INDETERMINATE SENTENCE.

Developmental Disability. A substantial handicap or impairment occurring prior to the age of 18.

Deviant Sexual Arousal . A pattern of sexual interest for inappropriate activities or objects. Sexual interest in prepubescent children is one example and is referred to as Pedophilia. Many other forms of deviant sexual arousal are also possible.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The current primary codification of mental disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. The first edition was published in 1952. The current edition is the fourth (DSM IV), and was published in 1994. It is approximately 8 times as long as the original edition.

Dichotomy. When the data or measurements are definitely in one category or another category. (e.g. a false dichotomy is the argument that judges should either incarcerate sex offenders for many years or "give them another chance" and place them on probation with few requirements and no treatment required).

Direct Examination. Questioning of a witness by the party calling the witness (as opposed to CROSS-EXAMINATION).

Disclosure Chain . The sequence of people repeating the allegation to the report to law enforcement. Sometimes, this may be several people, and it is important to be able to trace any possible changes that occur through this communication process, as well as the possible motivation of persons for passing on the information.

Discovery.  The process by which parties find out facts known to opposing parties or relevant others. This can include DEPOSITIONS, INTERROGATORIES, and results of physical or mental examinations.

Dispositional Hearing. A juvenile court hearing involving placement of the child and services to be provided to the child and/or family.

Dissociative Amnesia. The inability to recall significant and important personal information usually of a traumatic or stressful nature that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. One of the DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS.

Dissociative Disorder. A group of mental disorders involving some disruption in the integration and flow of normal consciousness affecting any or all combinations of functioning of behavior, affect, sensation (i.e. the 5 senses), or knowledge. Although mild dissociative symptoms such as "highway hypnosis" may occur from as mild a stressor as boredom, most of  the dissociative disorders are felt to be the result of extreme stressors.

Dissociative Fugue. Sudden and unexpected travel away from one's home or place of work with inability to recall one's past, and confusion about personal identity. One of the DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). The most extreme of the DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS. Previously named MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER. The presence of two or more distinct personality states in one individual which alternate taking control of the individual's functioning.

Dissonance. A disagreement between two entities. The result of competing SERAs in two individuals or entities in a dyad.

Dispositional Hearing . The determination of what should be done by the court to improve a child's circumstances who has been found to be the victim of some type of DEPRIVATION.

DNA Testing. For forensic purposes, comparing saliva, semen, blood, or tissue samples at a crime scene with a specific suspect. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, and contains minute genetic differences from one individual to another.

Domestic Violence (DV) . Aggression or harm of one adult by another, especially in a romantic partnership or marriage. DV in a family when children witness it, is now a crime to the children as a form of child abuse.

Dual Diagnosis. An example of CO-MORBIDITY that includes a substance abuse diagnosis and another type of mental disorder.

Dyad. Two people who have at least one thread of a BOND between them.

Dyadic. Anything that pertains to a relationship between two people.

Dyadic Bond. The totality of THREADS in a relationship between two people.

Dysphoria. An unpleasant mood. Sadness.

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E

Ego. A psychoanalytic concept of one of the basic components of the psychic whole of a person. The other two are ID, and SUPEREGO. The ego is thought to mediate between instinctual drives (ID) and societal or moral sanctions (SUPEREGO) to reach a form of adaptive functioning. The term is misused in lay language to mean love of self or selfishness.

Ego-Boundaries. Hypothetical areas of demarcation between the ego and the external world and/or between the ego and the internal world of the ID, SUPEREGO, and the UNCONSCIOUS. Very weak ego-boundaries are often associated with poor reality testing and psychoticism.

Ego-Dystonic. Aspects of the person's thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are unacceptable or repugnant. Repetitive recall of sexual arousal by a victim of chronic sexual abuse molested by a relative would ordinarily be an example of ego-dystonic thoughts and feelings.

Ego-Syntonic. Aspects of a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are consistent with the total personality. A victim who believes himself/herself to be brave for being able to tell a therapist about a frightening sexual abuse event is probably experiencing an ego-syntonic reaction for their bravery.

Empathy. The capacity for participating in another person's feelings or ideas; putting oneself into the psychological frame of reference of another person so the other person's thinking, feeling, and acting are understood. During the act of abuse of a child, empathy is usually missing from the abusing adult. Thus, measurement of empathy is thought to be an important aspect to assessment of recidivism risk for abusers.

Enclave Procedure. An area of disagreement between the ideas of two or more individuals which are related to by "going around" the DISSONANCE temporarily, with the hope that later learning will resolve the dissonance; a method of dealing with disagreements not based on "winning" and "losing".

Encopresis. Repeated passage of feces into inappropriate places past the age of 3 and not due to a physiological disorder. Encopresis is a symptom of many possible psychological problems, sometimes but not always, including sexual abuse.

Enjoin. A court order to perform, abstain, or desist from some specific act.

Enuresis. Repeated voiding of urine into inappropriate places past the age of 4 and not due to a direct physiologic problem. Enuresis can be a symptom of many different problems, sometimes but not always, including sexual abuse.

Etiology. Origin or cause; frequently associated with disease (e.g. the etiology of general paresis is the advanced progression of the syphilis spirochete in the brain).

Evidence. Any form of proof presented by a party to support the factual allegations or arguments before the court.

Exhibitionism. One of the PARAPHILIAS involving exposure of genitals to persons other than willing peer sexual partners.

Experimental Group. A group of research participants who experience the experimental circumstances that are compared to persons who did not. See CONTROL GROUP.

Expert Witness. A witness who can assist the fact finder (judge or jury) in reaching a conclusion due to specialized knowledge or skill. A witness is only an Expert Witness once determined so by a judge (as opposed to FACT WITNESS).

Extended Assessment (also, Forensic Assessment). Forensic assessment of the issue of abuse through multiple contacts with the child especially exploring those issues most apt to elicit spontaneous disclosures. Extended assessments do not simply ask the same abuse-specific questions over and over again which could bias results.

Extrapolate. To project, extend , or expand known data.

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F

Facilitated Communication . Methods of assisting the communication process for a disabled person. One controversial method includes supporting the weight of a person's hand to make even slight movements result in communication choices. Obviously, this methodology has problems of credibility in communication used for the purpose of criminal proceedings.

Facilitator. A person who makes easier; one who helps to bring about and enhance.

Fact Witness. An individual who perceived an important event through one or more of the 5 senses. Fact witnesses are not allowed to testify regarding their opinions or interpretations.

Factitious Disorders. A group of mental disorders characterized by intentionally creating, falsifying, or exaggerating psychological and/or medical symptoms in order to gain the role of patient without any obvious and conscious secondary gain (e.g. as seeking to get out of the military by faking disability, or seeking to gain a disability check). It is assumed that gaining the role of patient is highly reinforcing to the individual and meets other emotional and psychological needs. An example is Munchausen Syndrome.

Factitious Disorder by Proxy. The DSM IV has identified for further study, the concept of Factitious Disorder by Proxy which involves a caretaker of a child or of a dependent adult who falsifies, creates, or exaggerates the symptoms of their ward in order to position the role of the patient. In some cases, this could even include falsifying, exaggerating, or creating symptoms of sexual abuse and then seeking medical and/or psychological intervention in order to meet needs through the child being in the victim role. In the most extreme cases, a child's life can potentially be at risk. Such caretakers often seem on the surface as highly positive and dedicated caretakers, and often fool professionals who are not specially trained to recognize this pattern. This disorder being studied is better known by the term MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME BY PROXY.

Factor. Something that actively contributes to the production of a result; an ingredient. Sometimes called a "variable".

False Memory. The concept that an individual can become convinced that they "remember" an event (such as abuse) that allegedly took place years previously, but in fact never happened. Research on memory issues and abuse has raised questions about adults believing they remember abuse as children when exposed to suggestions that this would explain their current reactions. This is a highly controversial topic.

False Negative. An erroneous conclusion that a condition does not exist (e.g. a conclusion a child has not been sexually abused when they have been). In child abuse literature, the frequency of false negatives still are more frequent than FALSE POSITIVES.

False Positive. An erroneous conclusion that a condition does exist (e.g. the conclusion that a child has been sexually abused when they have not been). False positives in child abuse cases are less frequent but can have enormous impact on innocent persons, and also need to be guarded against with all possible efforts to reach an objective and informed conclusion.

Family Preservation. The philosophical belief that children and families should be maintained together if the safety of the children can be ensured.

Family Reunification . A plan by which a maltreating parent is gradually re-introduced into family contacts if deemed appropriate by DFACS, the courts, and the treating therapists. Family reunification of child sexual offenders should only be considered after a long and complex series of steps are accomplished.

Fellatio. Contact of the mouth of a person with the penis of another person.

Felony. An offense punishable by death or incarceration in a penitentiary for a year or more, as opposed to MISDEMEANOR.

FERPA (also, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or the "Buckley Amendment"). Federal law dictating rules regarding educational records of students.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. A collection of symptoms in newborns related to maternal use of alcohol during the pregnancy. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome are more prone to a variety of health, learning, and behavioral problems. One common associated mental disorder is ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) which is slightly correlated with victim populations. In addition, children with fetal alcohol syndrome are slightly more apt to have under development of empathy and the ability to vicariously reflect on another person's experiences. Thus, children with low levels of empathy are slightly over represented in populations of youthful offenders of sexual abuse.

Fetishism. Intense sexual arousal, preoccupation, or sexual behaviors with inanimate objects such as underwear, shoes etc. One of the PARAPHILIAS.

FIS. See FORE(IN)SIGHT FOUNDATION. www.foreinsight.org

Fixation. Lack of developmental progress at some psychosocial stage resulting in aging without psychosocial maturation. Early conceptualizations of sexual offenders differentiated between those who were fixated and related more easily to children than to adults. This is in contrast to the idea of REGRESSION as it applies to offenders.

Flagellation. The act of whipping, especially related to a source of sexual excitement. An act sometimes associated with sadomasochistic acts. See SADISM and MASOCHISM.

Fore(In)Sight Foundation (FIS) . A nonprofit organization established by endowment with the stated purpose of facilitating the reduction and elimination of needless pain, suffering and death and expounding on the concepts of BEHAVIORAL DYNAMICS

Fore(In)Sight Institute. The part of FIS which plans and carries out the primary work of the Foundation; its present and anticipated work includes writing of books and newsletters; producing workshops; establishing web site materials, and communicating in every form of media endeavor.

Forensic. For the purpose of the legal system. Activities related to a legal proceeding. Generally, in contrast to the term CLINICAL.

Forensic Interview . Informational, unbiased gathering of data of a possible victim with the goal of accurate, and defensible findings regarding a possible crime.

Foresight. An act of looking forward; to see (as a development) beforehand.

Fornication. Sexual intercourse on the part of an unmarried person.

Fossa Navicularis. A small area of depression between the hymen and the POSTERIOR FOURCHETTE in a female.

Four Factors. The foundational FIS concepts of: ST (SUBJECTIVE TRUTH)/OT (OBJECTIVE TRUTH); SOM (motivation) SHOULD/OUGHT/MUST; AF (AFFECT); and PM (PSYCHOMOTOR). All four factors are forms of NEUROLOGICAL EQUIVALENTS (NEs).

Frame of Reference. A set or system (as of facts or ideas) serving to orient or give particular meaning.

Free Floating Anxiety. Severe, chronic, and generalized anxiety not clearly associated with a specific object or event. Sometimes sexual abuse victims can experience not only fear of the offender but a generalized sense that they live in a dangerous world. In some cases this is an unintended result of the abuse, but in other cases might be purposely induced by offenders who seek to control the victim through the use of terror and generalization of fears.

Free Recall Memory. Cognitively, the most complex form of memory in which an individual can describe details of an event with little or no prompts from the interviewer. An example would be the memory required for a detailed answer to the question, "Tell me all about the problem which happened to you recently".

Frotteurism. Intense sexual arousal involved in rubbing or bumping against a non-consenting person. One of the PARAPHILIAS. Also, "frottage".

Frye Test. A standard governing the admissibility of scientific evidence in which the theories or procedures are "generally accepted" by the general scientific community. Derived from the landmark case Frye vs. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923).

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Gamma . A Greek letter of the alphabet. A created word suggested to replace the misuse of the word "love". The physical attraction of one dyadic partner for another. Gamma is based on MEISM rather than on O-AFFECT (e.g. the pedophile group NAMBLA claims to be composed of adult people who "love" children, and wish to have sexual relationships with them. This is not love but gamma, since the focus is on the wishes of the adults rather than the welfare of the children)

Generalizability. An important concept in research referring to the degree with which one can apply the outcome of a study to another group, people, or circumstance assumed to be similar. The tendency most people have is to over-generalize vs. under-generalize.

Georgia Code. The state laws in Georgia.

Good Faith. With the intention of helping. A reporter of child abuse is protected from civil reprisal if the report was made "in good faith".

Grand Jury. A jury of 12 to 23 persons to evaluate whether criminal accusations against a person warrant a bill of indictment.

Grandiosity. Exaggerated belief in one's importance, power, wealth, or fame. In extreme form, one type of DELUSION.

Guardian. An adult legally charged with the power to make personal and financial decisions for someone deemed incapable of doing so for themselves.

Guardian Ad Litem. An adult charged with the legal right and duty to make decisions in the best legal interest of a child (or an INCOMPETENT adult) who is involved in a legal proceeding. In Georgia, the model is usually filled by an attorney, or by a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer.

Guardianship . Legal right given to a person to be responsible for the care of another person legally deemed incapable of providing care independently for themselves (an incompetent adult or a minor child).

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Hearsay. Statements of events not directly experienced by the person describing them. Hearsay is generally inadmissible except in special cases. Most pertinent to sexual abuse testimony, hearsay may be allowed when referring to an "Excited Utterance" (generally a spontaneous allegation of a crime or admission of a crime), and child-hearsay exception in Georgia regarding testimony by certain professionals of a child's allegations of abuse. Even with the child-hearsay exception, the child may be cross-examined.

Hierarchy. Persons or entities arranged in a series, usually with some kind of gradations (e.g. our human needs are in a hierarchy roughly starting with life sustaining issues and reaching up to self-actualization).

Hippocratic Oath. A guiding principal in the health professions, "Above all, do no harm".

Homeostasis. The maintenance or return to steady states in an organism. Sexual acting-out could be an example of homeostasis if the acting-out were a defense mechanism designed to reduce anxiety. Cycles of offending are related to the homeostatic mechanism.

Homophobia. Strong negative feelings about HOMOSEXUALITY thought to be related to unresolved issues on the same subject in a person. Our culture tends to have some general problems with homophobia that occasionally confuse the issue of child sexual abuse and peer gender preference. Research currently finds no relationship between HOMOSEXUALITY and child sexual abuse.

Homosexuality. Sexual interest in persons of the same gender. Homosexuality is no longer considered a disorder and is currently believed to be unrelated to increased probability of sexual orientation toward children.

Hostile Witness. A witness who is subject to cross-examination by the same party who called him/her as a direct witness due to antagonism demonstrated during DIRECT EXAMINATION.

Humility. The quality of being humble; not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; offered in a spirit of deference or submission. A preferred attitude when attempting to understand the complexity of human behavior (not to be confused with weakness or fear).

Hymen . Thin membranous tissue covering the opening to the vagina. It may be of various normal configurations other than the most commonly known shape of a ring of tissue narrowing the vaginal opening.

Hypersexuality. A disturbance of sexuality in which there is greatly or morbidly increased sexual activity and preoccupation. For an individual who has committed one or more sexual offenses to children, this is one of the risk indicators of RECIDIVISM, but sometimes can be lessened through the use of hormonal medication such as Depo-Provera.

Hypnosis. A clinical technique involving the subject to lie down and be directed to fix his/her attention while the clinician instructs in ways to induce a trance-like state. Hypnosis can be used for many helpful approaches to reduce symptomatology, but is currently not recommended as a way to access objective information about past child abuse history due to the potential for bias in such a suggestible state.

Hypothetical Question. A question which may contain proven or assumed facts which is asked of an EXPERT WITNESS to elicit an opinion.

Hypothesis. A proposition, principle or theory which is assumed to be true with regard to a situation or condition to which it is referred. With such an assumption being made it then is used as a basis for reasoning in order that some question or problem can be examined.

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Iatrogenic Illness. A disorder precipitated by the actions of the treatment provider (e.g. creating excessive sleeping and stuperousness from a level of medication beyond the therapeutic level).

Id. The Freudian concept of unconscious and instinctual drives and urges. Usually described in the context of wishes that are NOT socially refined or acceptable. See EGO and SUPEREGO.

Idiopathic. Of unknown cause (e.g. a healthy child develops epilepsy at age 12 with no family history of epilepsy and no known medical problems to the brain).

Impeachment. An attack on the credibility of a witness.

Impulse Disorder. Weak control over impulses that are usually pleasurable but inappropriate. A strong risk factor for a sexual offender regarding RECIDIVISM risk.

In Camera. Proceedings that occur in the judge's chambers and away from the jury.

Incidence. The frequency of cases within a specified period of time. Incidence is one way to measure the degree to which sexual abuse is a problem in our culture (e.g. it is roughly believed that sexual abuse will occur to 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys before the age of 18).

Incompetency. Found not to be COMPETENT.

Indeterminate Sentence. A sentence with a minimum established at sentencing but a maximum left up to the parole board- usually based on the defendant's behavior during incarceration.

Indictment.  A document by a grand jury formally accusing a person of a crime. This step allows the prosecution to seek further criminal prosecution steps.

Informed Consent. Both the permission to agree to something and the understanding of the implications of that agreement (e.g. telling a person of their Miranda Rights helps insure informed consent if they subsequently confess).

Initial Outcry (also, "First Outcry"). The original spontaneous statement made by a witness/victim about a crime. This first declaration holds more legal weight than later responses, especially if made on a completely voluntary basis.

Injunction.  A court order to act or abstain from a specific act.

Insight . A generally sudden comprehension of some subtle situation. A higher level perception. Synergistic experiences are insightful.

Intake Hearing. A preliminary juvenile court hearing to determine what DISPOSITION choices would be appropriate ranging from diversion from the juvenile court system to ADJUDICATION (trial).

Interrogation . An interview of a suspect believed to have committed a crime with the goal being a confession. An interrogation is not the same as an interview in that a conclusion has already been reached by the law enforcement investigator and the goal is less focused on obtaining  new information.

Interrogatories. Written questions in a civil action that must be answered truthfully, or an explanation given as to why they cannot be answered.

Invalid . Being without foundation or force in fact, truth or law (e.g. a document of custody of a child is determined by a court to be invalid. e.g. the usual interpretation of clinical subtests of a psychological test are invalid due to excessively high scores on the validity scales).

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J

Joint Custody. Shared parental authority to make decisions for the child(ren). This does not necessarily include shared physical custody.

Jurisdiction. Lawful right to exercise official authority, whether executive, legislative, or judicial. The territory within, or the matter over which, such authority  may be lawfully exercised. In child abuse cases, this is most apt to pertain to the geographic boundaries of law enforcement authority, or which DFACS agency is responsible to respond, or which court should address a particular case. Part of a smooth MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM approach involves resolving jurisdictional issues.

Jury. A group of adults selected through VOIR DIRE to hear evidence. 5-12 persons comprise a jury in civil and criminal cases and 12 to 24 persons comprise a grand jury.

Jury Panel . The pool of potential jurors, from which the jury is chosen. Specific members selected may at times influence the balance of receptivity towards either the prosecution or the defense's position. Rules exist regarding exclusion of panel members to reduce unfair bias.

Juvenile. In Georgia, a person under the age of 18; MINOR.

Juvenile Court. A court specifically established to hear cases concerning minors as victims of deprivation or as perpetrators of juvenile crimes.

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K

Klismaphilia. Sexual arousal preferred through the use of enemas. One of the examples of a Paraphilia Not Otherwise Specified.

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L

Labia Majora. The outer lips or folds of female genitalia.

Labia Minora . The inner lips or folds of female genitalia.

Labile. Rapidly shifting and unstable. Usually associated with mood ("He had a labile affect").

Lawful . Following laws, rules or principles. Also, characteristics of our world which can be predicted once principles and data are well understood (e.g. behavior of an individual may be very complex, but it is still lawful).

Leading Question (also, Suggestive Question). A question that suggests an answer ("You concluded that the boy was traumatized, didn't you Dr. X?"). Prohibited during DIRECT EXAMINATION, and subject to questionable techniques and conclusions during interviews with children ("You were sexually abused by your Uncle Bob, weren't you Sally?").

Learning. All that a person is capable of feeling, thinking or doing not as a result of instincts. Every individual NEUROLOGICAL EQUIVALENT (NE) and combination of NEs. It includes that which is valid and invalid, helpful and harmful, intentional and inadvertent.

Liable. A finding by the fact finder (judge or jury) that the PLAINTIFF has met the burden of proof on his/her civil claim. 

Libido. A psychoanalytic term meaning the psychic drive or energy to seek pleasure. Sexual drive is related but not identical. Some sex offenders are at high risk for RECIDIVISM due to a high level of libido in which great thought and energy is expended on seeking sexual outlets. For some, medication can help reduce this drive.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). See PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). In Georgia, one of the areas of mental health professionals licensed by the state who may independently practice.

Limbic System. The middle part of the brain associated with emotion, eating, drinking, and sexual drive. The lower central part of the brain responsible for the regulation of emotions composed of; hippocampus, amygdala, and cingulate gyrus. Over response of the limbic system is involved in post trauma conditions of some abuse survivors.

Linearity. The state of being in one dimension; having the capacity to be projected in a straight line. Two dimensional. Due to one factor that varies in degree along a continuum. Many conclusions and decisions about sexual abuse victims and offenders, however, are not linear.

Litigation. Law suit; a court proceeding.

Lobe . A rounded projection of an organ. The brain has 4 primary lobes; frontal (front), parietal (top), occipital (back), and temporal (sides-temple).

Love. A feeling toward another person or persons in which the person wants the loved one's welfare enhanced (See O-AFFECT). Not the attraction of someone to another person that is purely self-focused (See S-AFFECT, GAMMA).

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Malingering. The intentional exaggeration or falsification of symptoms in order to avoid undesirable circumstances or obtain a desired outcome (e.g. a juvenile offender is malingering when faking psychotic symptoms in order to be sent to away from the detention facility to a hospital where there are fewer demands and looser rules). Malingering differs from FACTITIOUS DISORDER symptoms in that the person is well aware of their motives.

Mandated Reporter. An individual required by law to report any reasonable cause to suspect child abuse/neglect. The report could be made to law enforcement but preferably to the Department of Family and Children Service, in Georgia.

Masochism. Sexual excitement derived from acts of subjecting oneself to suffering, pain, ill-treatment and humiliation.

Material. Relevant

Mean. The average of a set of observations determined by summing the set and dividing by the number of observations in the set; a mathematical way of determining a center point in a sample of measurements (See also MEDIAN and MODE).

Median. A middle point in a set of observations determined by the point above which and below which occur an equal number of observations (See also MEAN and MODE).

Meism. The genetic endowment all humans have for self preservation. The initial preoccupation with protecting the physical me extends in later life to non-physical aspects, such as concepts, and is characterized by a tendency to defend and try to enhance that which is connected to self even if invalid or destructive in doing so.

Mental Power (MP). The mental sufficiency for doing or performing a task or activity. For the task to be successfully completed, knowledge and skill would also have to be acquired. Persons vary widely on their degree of Mental Power.

Mental Power Potential (MPP). The neurological sufficiency which if developed would enable the person to have a specific MENTAL POWER. MPP is strongly influenced by genetics.

Mind Control. A variety of coercive or unwanted forms of influence on an individual's thinking, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. See also RITUAL ABUSE.

Minor. In Georgia, an individual under the age of 18. JUVENILE. Many laws pertain to rights and responsibilities that change at this age point.

Miranda Warning . The reminder to persons that what they say to a law enforcement officer can be legally held against them, and that they have the right to retain an attorney.

Misdemeanor. A category of crime less serious than a FELONY that could include fines and/or incarceration of less than a year.

Mitigating Circumstance . A factor that tends to reduce the severity of sentencing.

Mode. The most frequently occurring measurement in a finite set of measurements. See also MEAN and MEDIAN.

Medical Model. Also referred to as the "disease model". Health is determined by an absence of disease and/or symptoms. Abnormal or dysfunctional behavior is viewed as the product of an "illness" which can include intrapsychic factors. Mental health is thus viewed as an absence of mental illness. The current Diagnostic and Statistical Measurement manual is still tied to this medical model in which a diagnosis reflects a "disease" or "disorder" of psychological functioning.

Mental Status. Psychological and behavioral functioning determined through observation and questioning. A "mental status exam" reviews such functioning covering such things as; affect, speech, thought content, perception, and cognitive functions.

Mind Control. The systematic use of coercive and manipulative steps to bring about predetermined thoughts, feelings and behaviors in another person. Mind Control techniques are often used in RITUAL ABUSE but can also be part of human experiments for other manipulative purposes.

Mode . A measure of central tendency comprised of the most frequent occurrence at a specific level. In graphic distribution form, the highest point of the graph.

Modeling . A form of learning involving imitation of the behavior of another (e.g. children may start to act out sexual behaviors or aggression they observe in others).

Motion. An application for a ruling and/or an order from the court.

Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). Collaborative efforts of professionals from different disciplines toward a common goal. Effective intervention of child sexual abuse seems to be best accomplished through an MDT approach in which the common goal of reducing child sexual abuse, and reducing the negative effects of child sexual abuse, have more characteristics of O-AFFECT than pursuing one's individual or one's profession's goals while ignoring the broader goals of the entire team.

Multi-Factored. Something which consists of two or more factors or significant parts. The factors may all have the same degree of importance or they may vary widely. Many of society's most important problems are multi-factored. The cause, reversal and prevention of child sexual abuse is multi-factored. An issue which is non-linear.

Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). The older, but better known term to describe the existence of two or more distinct personalities within one person. Characteristically there is an amnesic barrier between at least some of the personalities. Now thought to occur almost exclusively in persons with a history of severe and chronic abuse. See DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER (DID).

Munchausen Syndrome. A chronic form of FACTITIOUS DISORDER in which physical or psychological symptoms are falsified, created, or exaggerated for the apparent purpose of securing the role of becoming a patient in treatment.

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. A proposed category of disorder listed in the section for further study in the current DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL as FACTITIOUS DISORDER by PROXY.

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N

Nazareth Syndrome . Doubt or disbelief because of a negative association with the source. In the Bible, Jesus was criticized and disbelieved by some due to his humble beginnings ("what good can come out of Nazareth?"). A specific SERA of negative associations related to factors which MAY be unrelated to the OBJECTIVE TRUTH.

Necrophilia. One of the Paraphilias in which an individual prefers to have sexual relations with dead persons. This is thought to be a rare disorder and thus would be diagnosed as one example of a Paraphilia Not Otherwise Specified.

Nerve Impulse. Electrochemical excitation propagated along a NEURON or chain of neurons.

Nervous System. The organ system which, along with the endocrine system, correlates the adjustments and reactions of an organism to internal and environmental conditions. Both the cerebrospinal system and the autonomic nervous system.

Neurological Deficit. A performance inability related to some interference along a chain of neurophysiological or neurochemical events between stimulus and response.

Neurological Equivalent (NE). The reality that any thought, feeling or behavior can only exist in a person when there is a pathway in the central nervous system to represent that thought, feeling or behavior which has been activated; the physiological pattern of nerves in the brain which is the equivalent of anything a person can do. There are 4 types of NEs including; SUBJECTIVE TRUTHS (STs), SHOULD/OUGHT/MUSTs (SOMs), AFFECT (AF), and PSYCH-MOTOR (PM).

Neuron. A nerve cell specialized to conduct energy in the form of a nerve impulse. The cellular building block of the central nervous system.

Neurotransmitter . A chemical released synaptically which affects another cell in a specific manner. There are at least 8 substances of this type; acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, histamine, adrenalin, and serotonin.

No Bill. A finding by the grand jury that no indictment should be issued. Sometimes referred to as "not a true bill".

Nolo Contendere. A defendant's pleading of not contesting the charge. Unlike a Guilty plea, this plea usually cannot be used against the individual in subsequent proceedings.

Noncognitive . Behavior unrelated to thinking. Feeling or muscle behavior.

Non-Offending Parents (also Non-Offending Guardians). One or more parents of an abused child NOT involved in committing the abuse.

Normal Distribution Curve . A bell shape to the graphing of data about a particular factor. Many factors in life can be identified as possessing this type of distribution of possible readings (e.g. The severity of symptoms of a child sexual abuse victim will vary from a few with no symptoms to a few with psychotic symptoms. The majority of CSA survivors have a number of symptoms that are definitely noticeable but less severe than in the worst cases.

Norms. In one usage, the descriptive statistics about a large sample of people on a particular measure, such as a test. Normative tests are necessary to evaluate if reasoning is correct about the meaning of test data. Tests without norms are much more limited regarding the RELIABILITY and VALIDITY of the conclusions which can be reached on a particular person's test results.

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O

O-Affect. A unilateral, other-centered, emotion representing love. This is the emotion responsible for our actions motivated by concern for the welfare of others. "Love your neighbor".

Objection. A request to have a statement stricken from the record usually based on a claim of improper procedural steps. The judge can then decide to "overrule" the objection and proceed, or "sustain" the objection and strike the statement from the record. The jury is also then instructed to disregard the statements if an objection is sustained.

Objective Truth (OT). Truth which exists in actuality whether or not provable or knowable; Sometimes SUBJECTIVE TRUTH (ST) is equal to OT, but often it is not. That is, believing is not always the same as being correct.

Obsession. An idea, emotion, or impulse that repetitively and insistently forces itself into undesirable conscious awareness. Obsessions can be about a wide range of topics but are sometimes seen in sexual thoughts, fantasies or impulses. Obsessions are often seen in individuals who also display COMPULSIONS.

Offense Chain (or "Offense Cycle"). The typical sequence of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and events that preceded a sexual abuser's offense. Treatment aimed at intervention earlier in the steps of this chain is part of RELAPSE PREVENTION efforts.

Operant Conditioning. Also called Instrumental Conditioning (or Operant Learning). Learning which occurs in which a person (or another organism) "learns" to behave a certain way to a conditioned stimulus or signal in order to obtain a reward. A sexual abuse victim who is told they will get money or privileges, or positive treatment by a parent for cooperating sexually may "learn" to act in sexually available ways with others in order to seek these other rewards or meet other needs. See CLASSICAL CONDITIONING.

Orientation . Awareness of one's position or direction in time and space (e.g. a psychiatric patient is judged to be "oriented" to time, place and person). A predisposition or frame of reference that influences reactions to certain stimuli, situations, or behaviors (e.g. a traumatized abuse survivor may have an orientation of distrust of new persons, including helpers, until their safety can be well established).

Other-Centered. Having a predominant concern for the welfare of others; full of O-AFFECT. The opposite of SELF-CENTERED.

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Paraphilias. The group of disorders related to sexual behavior problems.

Parens Patriae . Literally meaning "parent of the country".  A legal term referring to the traditional role of state as sovereign and guardian of persons under legal disability applied to protecting quasi-sovereign interests such as health, comfort, and welfare of people, etc.

Parole. A conditional release of a convict before the end of the sentence. The parolee then has to follow rules of parole or risk going back to prison to serve the remainder of the sentence.

Partialism. A sexual preoccupation with one part of the body. An example of a Paraphilia Not Otherwise Specified.

Pathognomic. A symptom or group of symptoms unique to a specific disease or diagnosis.

Pedophilia. One of the PARAPHILIAS indicating sexual interests and behavior by an adult generally towards prepubertal children.

Peer Review. Concepts, theory, or research conclusions that have been subjected to the close, objective scrutiny of other professionals in the field. Peer Reviewed professional conclusions have greater objectivity and reliability than claims from individuals who have made claims independently from all other colleagues' examination.

Percentile . A comparison of a particular score to the total scores of a reference group in which the highest score equals the 100 percentile.

Perception. The phenomenon of a person's reacting to his/her sensory experiences in a manner that results in some meaning or understanding. A mental activity beyond sensing.

Perceptual Blindness. All humans have areas of beliefs or SUBJECTIVE TRUTHs (STs) that are not OBJECTIVE TRUTHs (OT) but are believed because of the coincidence of reinforcement of these beliefs by meaningful people in one's life such as family or close friends etc. Being intelligent or even sincere is not sufficient to prevent this basic plight of being human. For example, 20 years from now, some strongly and widely held STs about sexual abuse victims and offenders will be shown to be incorrect. It is our responsibility to humbly and frequently consider new data or opinions that challenge our STs, and to seek truth vs. seeking support for our STs (which would only serve to maintain Perceptual Blindness).

Peremptory Challenge. The right to strike a prospective juror without justifying why. Each side has a limited number of times this right can be exercised.

Perinaeum . Generally, the area of the body between the anus and the genitals.

Perseveration. The tendency to emit the same response again and again when no longer functionally useful. Sometimes, perseverative acts indicate a neurological dysfunction and sometimes an emotional over attachment.

Personality Disorder. Relatively fixed and enduring patterns of behavior which are dysfunctional. Not simply symptoms related to a current stressor. The fixed pattern includes negative behaviors that either are distressing or which cause problems for others repeatedly.

Petition. A formal written application to the court requesting judicial action on a particular matter.

Phallometry (also Plethysmography). Measures of penile erection in response to presentations of various sexual stimuli. Changes in penile circumference, under such conditions, is a reliable measure of arousal patterns including DEVIANT AROUSAL PATTERNS.

Phrenology . The study of mental faculties and human character based on the shape of the skull. The brain was mistakenly thought to be like a "muscle" which becomes more and more powerful with exercise and use. Phrenology is now thought to be based on false assumptions and thus represents a major CUL-DE-SAC theoretical field in the history of psychology.

Plaintiff. The individual who initiates the LITIGATION by filing a complaint.

Plateau. A region of relatively no change in a graphical representation, when a graph represents leveling off of learning or desired performance over time. Such regions may be points of discouragement. However, many learning curves characteristically include multiple plateaus at higher and higher levels. Lesson: don't give up!

Plea Bargaining. When a defendant seeks a lesser charge or sentence in exchange for a Guilty plea.

Polygraphy (see also "Lie Detector" Testing). Measures of physiological responses such as heart rate, galvanic skin response, breathing, and blood pressure used to determine veracity of client statements.

Population. All of the possible individual cases being considered (e.g., all of the guns manufactured in the world would be the population of guns if one wanted to study the impact of guns on rate of violence). Studies rarely can measure populations and instead look for a number of examples which are typical, referred to as a SAMPLE.

Posterior Fourchette . A fold of membrane connecting the posterior, or back and  bottom, section of the LABIA MINORA.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A disorder following exposure to an overwhelming stressor involving threat of injury, death or threat to self plus a feeling of extreme helplessness and fear followed by symptoms of persistent mental re-experiencing of the trauma, avoidance of things associated with the trauma which are not dangerous, and hyperarousal of the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM. Many victims of sexual abuse show some or all signs of PTSD, although some show none of these symptoms.

Preponderance of Evidence. The least stringent standard of proof in civil cases indicating the claim is more likely than not.

Prevention. Taking active steps that reduce the PROBABILITY that an undesirable outcome may occur. Prevention of sexual abuse must include experiences for children and families that support thoughts, feelings and behaviors in opposition to abusive actions.

Prima Facie. Sufficient proof to establish a claim before challenge by the opposing side.

Principle . A comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine or assumption. Thus, new but similar situations can be predicted based on the principles involved (e.g. the principle of  "informed consent" and developmental theory would predict that any very young child cannot offer their informed consent to have sex with an adult, because they lack the mental capacity and experiences to predict the consequences of such a decision)

Privileged Communication. A legal right of a client of certain types of professionals to prohibit exchange of information about that person's treatment except with the client's permission or under certain other overriding factors such as mandatory reporting of child abuse.

Probation. A method of allowing a person convicted of a minor offense to remain in community but having to follow special rules, and being supervised by a Probation Officer.

Probability. A logical or mathematical basis for determining the relation between statements or events that would produce a given event and the total number of possible outcomes (e.g. one probability event of great importance is the prediction of recidivism of sexual offenses). We often explore the question of whether or not appropriate treatment of sexual offenders reduces the PROBABILITY of the occurrence of future offenses.

Probable Cause. The degree of certainty required for issuing an arrest warrant or for detaining an arrested person.

Problems of Living. All possible problems which apply to LEARNING. Inappropriate LEARNING often causes needless pain, suffering or even death (e.g. this web site resource is one attempt to reduce the PROBABILITY of future pain, suffering, or even death associated with future sexual abuse of children as one specific area of PROBLEMS OF LIVING. However, other efforts must concentrate on the PREVENTION of such problems by encouraging experiences for children that reduce the PROBABILITY of learning capable of producing sexually abusive behaviors).

Prognosis. The prediction of the future course of an illness including mental health problems.

Projective Tests. Psychological tests used for diagnosis in which there is a wide range of possible responses thought to allow for a "projection" of internalized issues into the test data. Examples include projective drawing tests, inkblots, and imaginative story telling to pictures. Projective tests are useful in uncovering unconscious material, but tend to be less RELIABLE in scoring compared to objective tests that are NORMED. The value of projective test results is highly dependent on the clinical skill of the examiner.

Prosecutor. An official who represents the state in cases brought to trial and pretrial hearings; a representative of the district attorney's office who tries cases.

Protection Order ( Also, sometimes Temporary Protection Order or TPO) . Used by a judge to restrain or control the conduct of an alleged maltreating adult. Most commonly, TPO's are obtained to keep a  maltreating adult away from another adult claiming to be the victim of  DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (DV).

Psychiatric Nurse. A nurse with specialized training and experience with psychiatric patients. In some areas this is restricted to nurses with this training who hold a master's degree.

Psychiatric Social Worker. A social worker with a master's or doctorate degree and specialized psychiatric training. In Georgia, the term more commonly used is Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Psychiatrist. A licensed physician with specialized training in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders. A Board Certified Adult Psychiatrist has a 4 year medical degree, medical license, and specialized psychiatric training to work with adults. A Board Certified Child Psychiatrist has this training as well as another subspecialty with children and adolescents. Psychiatrists can do psychotherapy, medication, and hospitalize persons for psychiatric disturbances. Sometimes their medical training is also related to psychiatric symptoms actually tied to physical problems (e.g. depression in a patient due to thyroid problems).

Psychocluster. A PSYCHONUCLEUS with its attachments, similar to a composite family flower with its center or nucleus and petals stemming from it to form the total cluster.

Psychogenic. An issue which has its origin in the psyche vs. the physical aspects of the body (e.g. a paralysis with no organic cause which is related to psychological factors.).

Psychological Tests (also Psychometric Testing). Any of a wide variety of systematic approaches to measure human behavior including assessment of intelligence, personality, achievement, attitudes or emotional functioning. Some tests are limited in their use to PSYCHOLOGISTS only and some are not. Interviews and use of instruments not limited to psychologists are sometimes referred to as "PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENTS".

Psychological World. The set of Neurological Equivalents (NEs) in a person's brain which are capable of being activated by a specific set of internal and external stimuli at a precise moment in time, as well as all persons who through past or present behavior, could affect the individual's behavior.

Psychologists. In Georgia, a person holding a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology from an accredited program. There are many different specialty areas of psychology, not all of which deal with persons' mental, behavioral or emotional problems. School Psychologists must be certified through the State Department of Education to be employed within the schools. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists must be licensed in order to practice psychology independently.

Psychomotor (PM). Pertaining to motor effects of brain activity through action in the cerebellum; the doing of something which requires muscle activation and movement; one of the types of NEUROLOGICAL EQUIVALENTs (NEs).

Psychonucleus. The center of complex sets of NEUROLOGICAL EQUIVALENTS (NEs) that attract other NEs having some significant fact(s) in common (e.g., "flower" could be a psychonucleus attracting other NEs related to describing and defining a flower).

Psychopathy. A clinical term loosely used to describe behavior fitting the diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder manifested by such characteristics as; callousness, glibness, need for stimulation, impulsivity, irresponsibility, and grandiosity. Individuals with such patterns often have a long criminal history. The term is often used as a descriptor of intentionally manipulative behavior with little or no remorse.

Psychopathology. The manifestation of significant mental disorders. Also, the study of the origins and processes of these disorders.

Psychosexual Assessments. Interview approaches and tests focused on sexual functioning, especially sexual dysfunctioning and PARAPHILIAS.

Psychosexual Development. A psychoanalytic term referring to stages of development from a Freudian perspective.

Psychosis. A mental disorder characterized by significant impairment in emotional or behavioral functioning far outside the norm. Psychosis is usually a term limited to symptom patterns including one or more of the following; hallucinations, delusions, problems in reality testing, and/or one of the major disorders of emotional functioning.

Psychosocial Assessments. Instruments, not limited in use by psychologists, which assist in the process of diagnosis.

Psychosomatic. An adjective used to describe physical symptoms that are at least influenced by psychological factors (e.g. headaches related to tension).

Psychotherapy. An intervention approach to reduce psychological symptoms.

Psychotropic. An adjective describing medications used for psychiatric symptom relief.

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Q

Quantify . To make objective and expressible in specific number (e.g. case plans are usually better when quantified so there is no misunderstanding of expectations and the court can be objective in determining if the goals are reached or not).

Quash. To annul; to suppress.

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R

Rebuttal. Evidence attempting to contradict previous evidence by the opposing side.

Recidivism (also Reoffending). Repetition of criminal acts by the same offender. Effectiveness of sexual offender intervention programs are often measured by recidivism rates.

Recognition Memory . The recognition that an event, or person, or object has been previously experienced. A police "line-up" activity is an example of the use of Recognition Memory.

Reconstruction Memory. Mentally recreating a previous experience within a physical and psychological context. An example would be the ability to accurately answer a policeman's questions about a crime in terms of; who, what, where, and when.

Recross-Examination. Questioning of a witness by the party who previously CROSS-EXAMINED the same witness.

Redirect Examination. Questioning the witness again by the same party who questioned the witness previously on DIRECT EXAMINATION. Often used as a strategy to clarify or resolve apparent problems in testimony brought up during CROSS-EXAMINATION.

Regression. A return to a less mature level of functioning related to stress. Many non-sexual symptoms of sexually abused children are examples of regression.

Regulations. Rules of law created by government agencies as opposed to STATUTES passed by the legislature.

Reinforcement . A strengthening of NEs; in classical conditioning the process of following a conditioned stimulus by the unconditioned stimulus, and in instrumental and operant conditioning, the rewarding of the learner for adequate responses. In both cases the response is strengthened.

Relapse. An individual who has recovered or improved and subsequently experiences a return of symptoms is said to have experienced a relapse. A relapse of paraphilic symptoms that are illegal would be considered an example of a relapse and of RECIDIVISM.

Relapse Prevention . The reduction of probability of re-offending through strategies to cope differently with the precursors of offending identified through an offender's OFFENSE CHAIN.

Reliability. The degree to which test findings will yield similar results over repeated measures; a measure of test consistency; one of the important factors in the usefulness of standardized tests. See also VALIDITY.

Repression . The Freudian concept of excluding unacceptable or undesirable thoughts, feelings or impulses from one's consciousness. Sometimes misapplied to the concept of unrecovered trauma memories. The concept of "traumatic amnesia" may be a more appropriate concept in this regard. Thus, some of the criticism of "repressed memory therapy" is based on a misuse of terms and concepts.

Review Hearing . Periodic Juvenile Court hearings to review the progress of a child within the states guardianship.

Ritual Abuse. The intentional harm of an individual for the purpose of control and/or for the symbolic significance of the act. Often ritual abuse is associated with an entire belief system. Ritual abuse and MIND CONTROL techniques are often overlapping. Sexual abuse may or may not be included in ritual abuse.

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S

Sadism. A sexual perversion in which sexual arousal is related to inflicting cruelty to another person. Derived from descriptions of the Marquis de Sade (1740-1814), a French writer.

S-Affect. The self-centered feelings attached to one's SELF-EXTENSIONS- how important they are to him/her, how much pleasure he/she can derive from them etc.; a frequent accompaniment to one's MEISM.

Sample. A part of a specific total of similar entities, the whole of which is a POPULATION. Some incorrect conclusions can occur when the sample being measured is not typical or representative of the POPULATION or is too small to have good statistical RELIABILITY.

Scatalogia. Deriving sexual excitement from obscene phone calls. Diagnosed as an example of a Paraphilia Not Otherwise Specified.

Search Warrant. A written order by a magistrate or a judge giving authorization to search a specific premise for specifically named items.

Secondary Gain. The benefit, or positive correlate, to a usually unpleasant situation. For example, release from unpleasant responsibility due to an illness or injury. Repetitive problems that seem to have negative outcomes often are partially supported through secondary gain.

Self. That intangible something which exists as our innermost being. It is often confused with body parts over which it may or may not have conscious control.

Self-Centered. The opposite of OTHER-CENTERED; full of S-AFFECT; absorbed in oneself. This is characteristic of all humans when they are born, and typical of many humans throughout their life cycle.

Self-Constellation. One's SELF and SELF-EXTENSIONS.

Self Emotionally Related Association (SERA). A combination of the affective component (emotionally related) with the mental set of a SELF-EXTENSION (Self-association); an NE with an emotional component; the basic foundation of how people can arrive at different conclusions to the same issues which leads to conflicts (SERA-SERA DISONANCE).

Self-Esteem. How one regards or appraises or values oneself.

Self-Extension. An acquired psychic entity which is a type of Neurological Equivalent (NE) comprised of thoughts (SOM, ST) or feelings (AF) or acts (PM), and which may be thought of as extending beyond or attached to the SELF; part of the mind.

Self-Image. The view one has of him/herself.

Sensation. Immediate activity of a sense organ activity related to an activation of the equivalent part of the brain. Less than a perception. (e.g. an infant which is sexually fondled may experience some pleasurable sensations of touch with no interpretation of the appropriateness of the experience).

Sensory Receptor. One of the organs of the 5 senses of; vision, hearing, taste, smell, or touch.

Sequestration. Barring the jury or witnesses from exposure to the media or from another witness so as to reduce the probability of bias in later testimony.

SERA-SERA Dissonance. Conflict between people or within oneself over mutually opposing views. Conflict which is the end result of MEISM plus how LEARNING includes OBJECTIVE TRUTHs (OTs) and SUBJECTIVE TRUTHs (STs) which are not OTs- resulting in differences between people and within a person regarding their SELF-EXTENSIONS.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitiers (SSRIs). A specific family of antidepressant medications which may have a role in reduced sexual drive or diminished DEVIANT SEXUAL AROUSAL.

Sexual Abuser (also Sex Offender). A person whose sexual behavior is directed at another who refused, or were not able, to offer their consent.

Should/Ought/Must (SOM). The three elements of motivation each of which can have varying degrees of VALENCE or strength.

Somatic. Pertaining to the soma or body. Thus, for example, somatic symptoms are those related to physical discomfort.

Social Worker. A professional whose primary focus is meeting individual or group needs through implementation of systems of services or organizations. See also PSYCHAITRIC SOCIAL WORKER.

Special Assistant Attorney General (also, SAAG). An attorney representing the Department of Family and Children Service. The attorney attempting to show in juvenile court that a child has suffered DEPRIVATION requiring the court's intervention.

Standard Deviation . A measure of variability of scores derived by taking the square root of the sum of the squared deviations of scores from the mean of the scores. A useful statistical unit in comparing scores of one factor to another in order to determine whether the average differences between the two groups of scores is likely to be meaningful or not.

Statistical Significance. A mathematical finding that the differences found between two measured groups is unlikely to be due to chance. One frequent standard of significance is when results indicate that the probability of chance variability is only 5 times in 100. This is indicated by the symbols p=.05.

Statute. Codified law passed by the legislature. To be distinguished from REGULATIONS or COMMON LAW.

Stereotype . Something conforming to a fixed pattern; a standardized mental picture held in common by members of a group and representing an oversimplified opinion, affective attitude, or uncritical judgment. A stereotype is also an inaccurate and ineffective example of a SERA. (e.g. "Men are selfish, aggressive, and immature"). Stereotypes MAY be sometimes correct in individual cases!

Stimulus . Any action or situation that elicits a response.

Stipulation. An agreement made by opposing attorneys regarding some procedure. To be binding, it must also be agreed upon by those attorneys' clients.

Stress . A force applied to a system that produces pressure or tension. Psychological stress affects a persons functioning. Occasional moderate stress is potentially beneficial in keeping the system functioning at an optimal level (e.g.exercise). Chronic or traumatic stress can create many physical, social, psychological, emotional, and/or behavioral problems.

Subjective Truth (ST). Beliefs which an individual holds regardless of validity. Not all STs are OBJECTIVE TRUTHS (OTs). The presentation of facts or reasoning often will not change an individual's ST due to the VALENCE attached and the connection as a SELF-EXTENSION making it a SERA.

Subpoena. A document requiring that a witness appear and give testimony and/or bring records on the case. Subpoenas can have penalties to the witness for failure to comply.

Suggestibility. Research indicates that persons, especially children, can be influenced in what they remember and/or what they report about events they have previously experienced, under certain circumstances.

Summons. Similar to a subpoena in requiring a person to appear at a legal procedure, but including that the procedure is aimed against the individual required to attend.

Synapse . The juncture between two nerve cells, especially between dendrites of two nerve cells. The nerve impulse is transmitted across the synapses by the chemical action of a neurotransmitter.

Syndrome. A cluster of symptoms that usually occur together and constitute a recognized condition. Examples could include; battered-spouse syndrome, battered-child syndrome, rape-trauma syndrome; and child abuse accommodation syndrome.

Synergy. Combined action of two or more entities, often with characteristics being produced in total that cannot be found in the individual entities. The Multi-Disciplinary Team approach seems to have synergistic characteristics.

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T

Tarasoff. A court decision in California held as a landmark case holding therapist's responsible to take steps to prevent harm by patients if they know them to be dangerous. Sometimes referred to now as a "duty to warn", it actually encompasses other possible ethical steps to reduce risk besides the option of calling the person threatened by the client.

Temporary Protection Order (TPO). See PROTECTION ORDER.

Termination of Parental Rights Hearing. A formal judicial proceeding where a parent's legal rights and responsibilities may be permanently severed. During this time, the state assumes legal responsibility for the care of the child.

Testimonial Capacity. The capacity to testify, usually measured by the ability to observe, the ability to remember, and the ability to understand the requirement of truthfulness once sworn in.

Testimony. Evidence given by a witness under oath, as compared to physical evidence or written evidence.

Thread. A mutuality between dyadic partners; part of a dyadic bond. The greater and more numerous the threads, the stronger the bond.

Timeline . A graphic form of a persons life and current circumstances represented by a straight line with a B (Birth) at the left margin and P (Present) at the right margin. Different significant events having impact on the person can be placed along the line.

Tort. An injury or a wrong committed by a person through intention or negligence to another person or property. The act may constitute a crime and/or may constitute a civil court violation.

Transcript. The official written record of a legal proceeding.

Transfer. NEs which apply to some other time/place/situation than the way they were initially learned. Much of what is learned in class does not transfer to real-life situations. Getting sex offenders to transfer learning from a therapy setting to real situations is a difficult challenge.

Transfer Hearing. Also called a "waiver hearing". A hearing to decide if a juvenile should be tried in adult court.

Transference. The attribution of feelings and attitudes on to an individual or group of individuals that actually stem from specific important relationships early in life such as with parents.

Transvestic Fetishism. Intense sexual arousal related to cross dressing. One of the PARAPHILIAS.

Traumatic Amnesia . Difficulty being able to intentionally recall part or all of an extreme trauma event which became dissociated from normal consciousness and memory. Some of the worst trauma persons have experienced may be difficult to intentionally recall and discuss because of the process of dissociation. This subject is a topic of great controversy in contrast with the explanation of "FALSE MEMORY".

True Bill. The finding of a grand jury that a criminal indictment is warranted.

Truth Seekers. The name of the Fore(In)Sight's monthly newsletter. It represents a fundamental goal to seek real truth wherever it may be found and regardless of the discomfort that may cause when SERAs are challenged. Seeking truth should also be a goal of a forensic investigation and that is much different from the goal of trying to "prove" or "win" a case.

Type I Trauma. The result of an acute, unanticipated overwhelming negative event characterized by; powerful visual images, confusion and shock, and fears. Violent stranger rape would be an example of a typical Type I Trauma.

Type II Trauma. The result of chronic, repetitive upsetting events producing a sense of inevitability, a shift in personality characteristics, and coping strategies that become ingrained. Ongoing in-home child molestation would be an example of typical events leading to Type II Trauma. "Forgetting", or more accurately Traumatic Amnesia is more apt to occur with Type II Trauma.

Typology. The study of types.

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U

Urethra . The canal by which the urine is discharged from the bladder. The orifice of the urethra in a female is located below the CLITORIS and above the orifice of the VAGINA.

Urophilia. A pathological interest in urine with sexual significance. An example of one of the types of Paraphilia Not Otherwise Specified.

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V

Vagina. The female genital opening from the LABIA inside to the uterus.

Valence. The level of magnitude where some entity is found on a scale; strength; degree, especially of affect or importance to a person.

Validity. The degree to which a test measures what it purports to measure; accuracy; correctness; an important aspect of test usefulness. See also RELIABILITY and OBJECIVE TRUTH (OT).

Variable . A factor which can increase or decrease. Experiments are comprised of changing a variable and measuring how this affects another variable(s).

Variance. The square of the standard deviation used in certain statistical tests of data.

Venue. The geographic area covered by a particular law enforcement or court's authority that determines what cases may be heard. A "change of venue" usually refers to relocating a trial to a different court due to concerns about undue bias of the population making objective jury selection difficult, or resulting in some risk to proper steps being followed.

Verbatim. Word for word; in the same words. Professionals need to learn how to record the statements of sex offenders, sexual abuse victims, and principal parties verbatim in order to avoid misunderstanding through interpretation of meaning that changes the facts.

Verdict. The final judgment of a jury or judge in either a civil or criminal case.

Vigilance. Alertness to potential danger. In victims of severe trauma, vigilance often includes the general alerting function or sentinel activity of the nervous system resulting in over responding and difficulty in returning to a relaxed state.

Voir Dire. The process of selection of individuals to assignment on the jury.

Voyeurism. Intense sexual arousal to secretly observing another person disrobing, bathing, or engaged in sexual activity. One of the PARAPHILIAS.

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W-Z

Warrant. A written order signed by a magistrate or judge authorizing a search or an arrest.

Witness. One who testifies to matters pertinent to the court proceeding. A "fact witness" must limit responses to reporting what they experienced with their senses (e.g what they saw or heard). An "expert witness" may also offer an opinion or interpretation of the meaning of what they experienced (e.g. the interpretation of test results).

Zoophilia. Sexual interests and activities with animals. Also referred to as Bestiality. One of the examples of the diagnosis of Paraphilia Not Otherwise Specified. Recent research indicates a possibly higher rate of Zoophilia than previously known in male sexual offenders of children.

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