According to these authors, it is correct to assume that mental health professionals, including psychologists, may not have adequate literature that provides an evidence-informed basis for making decisions about a parent's contact with a child whom he/she has sexually molested. Indeed, there are several sources of information that may negatively…

The purpose of this article is to analyze current theories about childhood sexual behavior, differentiate between normal and problem childhood sexual behavior, and propose some alternatives for sex education in the schools. (IAH)

This commentary discusses results and implications of the research reported by Goodman and others in this monograph. Topics include (1) long-term effects of testimony on children's adjustment; (2) witnesses' perceptions of justice in the legal system; and (3) the need for special procedures in child abuse cases. (BC)

School board members should be wary of prepackaged programs to prevent child sexual abuse. Many program elements (body ownership, secrecy, intuition, and blame) are problematic from a child development and learning perspective. Tips for selecting such programs are provided. (MLH)

Explores pediatric and child psychiatric research covering five areas of potential biological and social risk to infants and children in orphanage care, specifically, infectious morbidity, nutrition, growth, cognitive and socioaffective development, and physical and sexual abuse. Results showed that institutionalization in early childhood…

Media attention and public concern focused on child sexual abuse in day care have presented early childhood educators with opportunities to educate parents, the public, and the media about child sexual abuse and quality child care. This paper provides information concerning the sexual abuse of children in day care settings. Topics addressed…

This editorial comments on a study that compared the self-development of 43 typical preschool children and 155 preschool children who had been maltreated. It found sexually abused, physically abused, and neglected preschool children showed more dissociation than did the typical children. Clinically identifiable dissociation was particularly…

Although Massachusetts ranks in the top 10 percent among states on several key indicators of child well-being, the state's growing incidence of child maltreatment is stark and confounding. This report launches a state call to action aimed at ending child maltreatment through revising and strengthening systems to protect children, providing support…