NCJ Number
198993
Date Published
2002
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This guide provides facts and resources for the prevention of child sexual abuse.
Abstract
The guide focuses on providing information about child sexual abuse to media representatives. The goal is to challenge media personnel to look beyond the facts of specific cases and to shift the focus from reporting details of crimes to making child sexual abuse a national health issue. The guide explains that in recent years the focus on prevention has shifted from simply educating children about how to keep themselves safe to containment of offenders and to turning the problem into a broader public health issue. As such, the guide provides listings of organizations that are geared toward varied approaches to the prevention of child sexual abuse. Organizations are listed that approach the problem from a public health perspective and from the perspective of intervention. There is a section on organizations that provides guidance to juveniles and adults who have sexual behavior problems, including those who are sex addicts. Another section provides information on organizations that assist victims and survivors of sexual abuse, including those that focus on crisis support, self-help, and advocacy. Five organizations are listed that are geared specifically for friends and family of both abusers and victims of abuse. Another section provides information about current research and education for victims and abusers. Organizations that provide information about children's rights are also included. Those organizations dealing specifically with policy, legislation, and legal advocacy are included, as well as organizations that provide general information on child abuse and neglect. Finally, blank pages for reader notes are offered in the back of the guide. This guide is useful for a wide range of individuals, not simply media personnel.