NCJ Number
225076
Date Published
July 2000
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This booklet is designed to assist children, parents, and professionals, in recognizing, preventing, and responding to child sexual abuse.
Abstract
The booklet first defines “child sexual abuse” as “forcing, tricking, bribing, threatening, manipulating, or pressuring a child into sexual awareness or activity.” It also distinguishes two types of child molesters: the “preferential” child molester, who has a definitive sexual preference for children; and a “situational” child molester, who may not have a habitual sexual preference for children, but may engage in sex with children because of their availability or feelings of inadequacy. A chapter then briefly describes various techniques that a molester may use to “set up” a child for sexual abuse. A chapter on preventing child sexual abuse notes that a great majority of sexually abused children know their abusers and should be prepared to recognize signs of sexually abusive behavior. A separate chapter suggests ways children can be protected from sexual material and/or advances through the Internet. Reasons why children may keep their sexual abuse a secret are outlined in another chapter, followed by a chapter that lists the possible signs of child sexual abuse. What to do if a child tells you about an incident or pattern of sexual abuse is discussed in another chapter, followed by a chapter that outlines the steps in an official investigation of child sexual abuse. What can be expected from the criminal/juvenile justice systems in child sexual abuse cases is addressed in another chapter. Chapters also focus on the role of a child advocacy center in sexual abuse cases, the rights of child victims, and how to prepare for a child having to go to court. Other issues considered are what to say to others, treatment for sex offenders, and resource contacts. Suggested readings, a glossary, and an evaluation form