NCJ Number
241425
Date Published
April 2011
Length
58 pages
Annotation
After discussing the trends, impact, and unintended consequences of current legislative policies for reducing and preventing child sexual abuse, this report presents an overview of recent research on sexual abusers of children and resulting innovations, followed by recommendations for improving policies intended to prevent and reduce child sexual abuse.
Abstract
Experts agree that a criminal justice response alone cannot prevent sexual abuse or keep communities safe. Yet, tougher sentencing and increased monitoring of sex offenders are fully funded in many States; however, victim services and prevention programs are under-funded. Emerging research on people who sexually abuse children has begun to inform new policies. Innovative State-based policies, as well as policies and programs within organizations and communities, are designing a comprehensive approach toward community safety by focusing on the prevention of the perpetration of child sexual abuse, encouraging a range of options for holding abusers accountable, and offering incentives for abusers and families to reach out for help. New collaborative models encourage cross-disciplinary professional partners to work together to craft new policies that prevent child sexual abuse and sex offender recidivism. One recommendation of this report is to design and implement evidence-informed policy. Research has suggested which risk and protective factors can be incorporated into prevention programming. In addition, research has led to the delineation of how to motivate the prevention of, and intervention in, situations of child sexual abuse. A second recommendation is to develop successful community policies that expand the notion of what constitutes abuser accountability; encourage community responsibility and healing; and provide safety, restitution, healing, and avenues for input for victims. A third recommendation is to integrate what is known about perpetration into prevention programs, victim services, and public education. 81 references and appended current sex offender legislation