Finding Ways to Effectively Prevent Sexual Abuse by Youth

• NCJ Number: 198108
• Journal: Prevention Researcher Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2002 Pages: 8-10
• Author(s): Alisa Klein MAIP; Joan Tabachnick M.B.A
• Date Published: November 2002
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes ways to prevent sexual abuse by youth, such as the STOP IT NOW! program.

Abstract

Youth with sexual behavior problems pose a challenge to society, but there has been a limited range of actions to prevent this problem. Most social services, as well as the criminal justice system, take action only after sexual violence has been committed. STOP IT NOW! is a national nonprofit organization that is working to prevent and ultimately eradicate child sexual abuse. The program advocates for adding a public health approach to achieving the primary and secondary prevention of sexual abuse by juveniles. As part of its approach, both public education and public policy advocacy approaches have been developed to end the almost 50 percent of all cases of child sexual abuse that is perpetrated by children under the age of 18. A central premise is that children should not be held responsible for stopping their own abuse. The public education programs are geared toward adults and hold them responsible for improving their knowledge, changing their attitudes, and taking action to end the sexual abuse of children. One of the specific adult audiences the program targets with prevention messages is the parents of youth with sexual behavior problems. In a study of about 100 parents of children with sexual behavior problems over a 10-year period, there were consistent themes regarding their experiences with this issue, including shame, isolation, and inadequate information. Parents often felt pulled between social service agencies and the court system. Some of the parents’ suggestions for policy changes are to develop a checklist for parents about what they should do when they are told their child is accused of sexually abusing another child; develop a new model to treat children that sexually abuse; and educate professionals working within the system. A public health approach to policy development is needed that identifies tertiary, secondary, and primary opportunities for intervention and prevention.