Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse - An Overview of Needs and Problems (From Sexual Abuse of Children in the 1980's, P 16-29, 1986, Benjamin Schlesinger, ed. - See NCJ-103167)

• NCJ Number: 103169
• Author(s): D Finkelhor
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: University of Toronto Press
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Approaches to child sexual abuse prevention are reviewed, and issues in preventive programming are explored/.

Abstract

A number of approaches, based on the knowledge that information on sexual abuse and appropriate and inappropriate adult behaviors could reduce victimization, have been used with children. Films, live theater, storybooks, and workbooks have been used to provide both sex education and personal safety training to a broad spectrum of children, including handicapped children. Approaches aimed at meeting parents' needs have taken the form of parents' groups, providng them with the information they need to educate their children themselves. Despite differences among programs, there are many similarities. Most programs try to present possibly frightening information in a manner that is age-appropriate in vocabulary and format, distinguish between positive and negative forms of touching, use humor and entertainment, and empower the child by emphasizing the right to reject sexual approaches. All emphasize the importance of the child's revealing abuse or potentially abusive situations. Major issues still requiring resolution in prevention programs include the role of the school and the community and the relationship between abuse prevention education and sex education. 2 notes and 24 references.