How can we use insights from cutting-edge science to improve the well-being and long-term life prospects of the most vulnerable children in our society? This is both a critical challenge and a powerful opportunity to affect the trajectories of millions of children in the United States and around the world. It is a question of particular importance…

Summer and winter breaks from school can be highly anticipated times for students and educators. However, for students living in poverty, the break from school can bring hidden challenges that school psychologists should be aware of when preparing for vacation. Research has shown that school breaks affect students from varying socioeconomic status…

As practitioners have expanded their understanding of the types of events that constitute trauma exposure, the epidemiological database on prevalence suggests that childhood exposure to violence may best be framed as a public health crisis. There seems to be little recognition from policymakers and legislators, however, that violence may be the…

The prevalence of child abuse and neglect is an international concern that justifies the existence of child protection systems. An important first principle for all such statutory child protection systems is to ensure that the system itself does no further harm. It can be argued that there are specific circumstances within which well-meaning…

This article describes a program entitled "Staying Alive" to help teachers prevent molestation of elementary school children. Child molestation is defined, methods of coercion are described, and survival tips and relevant learning activities are suggested. (Author/MT)

To provide training in issues of child abuse and neglect, steps followed to develop a training module for preservice and inservice school psychologists are logically analyzed to present a prototype training module which can be modified to accommodate a particular school's objectives and its staff's existing skills and training. (MM)

Describes an effective program for teaching children about the dangers of sexual abuse and abduction. The program does not introduce negative stories, examples, and other warnings that tend to create anxieties in children. Reports a study evaluating the program's effectiveness. (SKC)

The article describes a project in which gifted seventh and eighth graders developed a brochure about child abuse for children. The students distributed their brochure across the country, produced a play, and agitated for greater visibility for the child abuse hotline telephone number. (DB)

Presents guidelines for developing a team approach, involving both school and social service personnel, in dealing with child abuse. A case study is presented to illustrate the approach. (BL)

In conjunction with an article on prevention of child molesting, this column describes additional measures implemented by various school districts and lists four resources, both film and print, available to schools for educating staff and students about the dangers of child sexual abuse. (TE)

A case history of a young man with mild mental retardation who had engaged in pedophilia and was successfully treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate is presented. The role of antiandrogen treatments of mentally retarded sexual offenders is discussed including issues of informed consent and ethical aspects of treatment. (Author/DB)

This paper presents a theory and model for treating adolescent victims of physical and sexual abuse and neglect. The theory examines issues related to abuse or neglect and the effect that an abusive history has on adolescent development. Specific issues noted are depression, anger, low self-esteem, self-shame, lack of trust, a sense of…

Reports of child maltreatment have increased by 142 percent and sexual abuse cases by 852 percent since 1976. The responsibilities of both the teacher and the school and resources to help educate children are explored. Suggestions for counseling students are offered. (DF)

Chronicles the growing frequency of child abductions by divorced parents who are warring over child custody. Outlines the school's role in prevention of such kidnappings and how to recognize new students who are kidnap victims and help to return them to their rightful parents.

Describes the problem of police violence against street children in Guatemala. Includes details of cases, the problems of street children, and the work of Covenant House in trying to help and protect children. Argues that only education about human rights can obtain and preserve rights for children. (DK)