Changing the paradigm: Using strategic communications to promote recognition of child sexual abuse as a preventable public health problem

2021 ◽  
Vol 117 ◽  
pp. 105061
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Fix ◽  
Daniel S. Busso ◽  
Tamar Mendelson ◽  
Elizabeth J. Letourneau
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Strategic Communications

scholarly journals Delusional Disorder and False Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse: A Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-340
Author(s):  
Serbulent Kilic ◽  
Ayse Vural
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Delusional Disorder ◽  
Forensic Pathologist ◽  
False Allegations

Child sexual abuse is a public health problem worldwide. When a court carries out an investigation into cases of sexual abuse, they are likely to ask for a genital examination report from a forensic pathologist indicating whether they believe sexual abuse contact has occurred. Any suspicion about the sexual abuse of a child should be evaluated prudently. Nevertheless, the investigation of sexual abuse is sometimes undertaken according to misguided or unnecessary complaints from concerned parents suffering from mental illness.

Developments in Australian laws requiring the reporting of suspected child sexual abuse

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 18-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Mathews ◽  
Chris Goddard ◽  
Bob Lonne ◽  
Stephanie Short ◽  
Freda Briggs
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Sexually Abused ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The State ◽  
Australian State ◽  
Territory Government ◽  
First Time

Thousands of Australian children are sexually abused every year, and the effects can be severe and long lasting. Not only is child sexual abuse a public health problem, but the acts inflicted are criminal offences. Child sexual abuse usually occurs in private, typically involving relationships featuring a massive imbalance in power and an abuse of that power. Those who inflict child sexual abuse seek to keep it secret, whether by threats or more subtle persuasion. As a method of responding to this phenomenon and in an effort to uncover cases of sexual abuse that otherwise would not come to light, governments in Australian States and Territories have enacted legislation requiring designated persons to report suspected child sexual abuse. With Western Australia’s new legislation having commenced on 1 January 2009, every Australian State and Territory government has now passed these laws, so that there is now, for the first time, an almost harmonious legislative approach across Australia to the reporting of child sexual abuse. Yet there remain differences in the State and Territory laws regarding who has to make reports, which cases of sexual abuse are required to be reported, and whether suspected future abuse must be reported. These differences indicate that further refinement of the laws is required.

Systematic Review of Risk and Protective Factors for Revictimization After Child Sexual Abuse

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arielle A. J. Scoglio ◽  
Shane W. Kraus ◽  
Jane Saczynski ◽  
Shehzad Jooma ◽  
Beth E. Molnar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
The United States

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a widespread public health problem in the United States. It has been associated with multiple long-term deleterious outcomes including revictimization in adulthood. This systematic review of 25 studies synthesizes research examining possible risk and protective factors that might explain the established link between CSA and future victimizations. Specific risk factors identified included co-occurring maltreatment in the home, risky sexual behavior (particularly in adolescence), post-traumatic stress disorder, emotion dysregulation, and other maladaptive coping strategies. Only one protective factor was identified: perceived parental care. The review also revealed considerable variability in definitions and measurement of both CSA and adult victimization, particularly in terms of how researchers conceptualized age. Many of the studies were limited in generalizability by including only college-age women. These findings have clinical and research implications. Public health interventions working to prevent revictimization among CSA survivors can utilize these findings when designing programs. For researchers, the results highlight the need for standardized definitions of both CSA and revictimization, for well-validated and consistent measurement, and for inclusion of additional population groups in future research.

scholarly journals Child sexual abuse: increasing pandemic incidence

2021 ◽  
pp. 127-129
Author(s):  
Fabian Danilo Unigarro Ramirez ◽  
Modesto Leite Rolim Neto
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Vulnerable Group ◽  
Violence Against Children ◽  
The Media ◽  
Adolescent Victims

Introduction: The increase of violence against children is characterized as a serious public health problem.  The media has continuously reported cases of: rape perpetrated against children, increased violence against this age group and alarming epidemiological data resulting from the isolation of the pandemic by SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Studies were identified using large-circulation international journals found in two electronic databases: Scopus and Embase. Results: Cases of harassment, rape, manipulation of the child's genitals, oral, anal or genital penetration, pedophilia, exploitation, dissemination of erotic images of children in social networks, exhibitionism, masturbation, Voyeurism and incestuous abuse are classified as child sexual abuse. The numbers of legal abortions in child and adolescent victims of rape tends to increase a 100% taking into account the in the first cases of 2020. Conclusion: discussions for the implementation of public policies and healthcare for children victims of sexual abuse are important for prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society, considering all the sequel that this vulnerable group acquires after the crime.

scholarly journals Prevalence of child sexual abuse: a comparison among 4 Italian epidemiological studies

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Castelli ◽  
Fiorella Festa ◽  
Maria Angela Di Sanzo ◽  
Andrea Guala ◽  
Alberto Pellai
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
The City

Although many epidemiological studies defining child sexual abuse prevalence rates in many countries of the world are now available, Italy presents a lack of data regarding this specific issue. Only recently some attempts to define the epidemiology of this public health problem have been tried. Between 2003 and 2010, the Department of Public Health at University of Milan was in charge of one of the more important study of this kind in Italy, involving almost 3000 students aged 18 attending secondary schools in the City of Milan who filled out an anonymous questionnaire aiming at detecting their previous experiences of sexual victimization during childhood and adolescence. After this first edition, the study was replicated among students attending secondary schools in the city of Varese, in the area of Piedmont and in Basilicata (area of Lauria), using the same investigational model and questionnaire. This paper presents the main data collected through four different epidemiological studies using the same methodology and survey tool. Considering at least one of the five different forms of child sexual abuse surveyed (being exposed to pornography, being touched on private parts, being forced to masturbate an older person, being forced to perform oral sex, or being penetrated), the prevalence rate among our samples ranges between a minimum of 12.5% (Varese) and a maximum of 34.1% (Lauria). In Lauria the research reveals a higher prevalence rate of child sexual abuse, especially among the male population, for all typologies of abuse but being touched in their private parts. In all other geographical areas and for all typologies of abuse, there is always a higher prevalence among girls, with the only exception of abuse such as being exposed to pornographic materials.

Child Sexual Abuse Imagery

2021 ◽  
pp. 166-178
Author(s):  
Emily F. Rothman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Child Pornography ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Wide Range

Child pornography, also called “child sexual abuse imagery” and “child exploitation material,” is a serious public health problem. This chapter reviews what qualifies as child pornography in the United States, its prevalence, how it is made and disseminated, who views it, and whether seeing it is associated with child sexual abuse perpetration. The topic of self-produced child pornography is also addressed. The chapter explains the historical link between anti-child pornography activism and anti-gay rights activism, and cautions public health professionals that, historically, outrage about child pornography has been used to galvanize people and further repressive agendas. The chapter argues that child pornography prevention strategies need to be carefully devised, in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, and should be studied for effectiveness and unintended consequences.

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