This theme issue newsletter presents six brief articles on sexuality education for children and youth with disabilities. Each article presents an overview of important points to consider when providing sexuality education, then concludes with a list of materials for families and professionals. The first article, "The Development of Sexuality,"…

The harmful effects of sexual abuse on children are no longer debatable, yet adequate legal action and protective services often are not provided for child and adolescent victims. With the rate of confirmed child sexual abuse victims escalating to more than 350,000 cases per year, the role of schools in meeting the specific needs of these children…

This paper presents the findings of a 4-year study that examined 225 cases of alleged sexual abuse of students by teachers. Data were collected through interviews with 225 superintendents who had dealt with incidences of sexual abuse--184 in New York State and 41 in other states. An analysis of 10 of these cases included interviews with…

There is accumulating research in diverse areas about the social conditions that are likely to promote violent environments, and the effects of these environments upon the development of children and youth. This series of papers on violence and hate traces abusive relationships through childhood and into adulthood, suggesting how these…

While female victims of sexual abuse have received increased attention, male victims continue to be overlooked. Recognition of effects of sexual abuse has been an important step in increasing identification of and treatment for victims of abuse. To assess the characteristics of male victims, sexually abused male (N=13) and female (N=16)…

Although it is relatively simple to check on applicants' basic professional competency, ensuring the moral competency of potential school employees is much more difficult. This digest examines major legal issues, district liabilities and responsibilities, suggested guidelines, and information sources involving employee background checks. Of more…

This study compared the personality profiles of 30 women who had been incestuously abused as children with a matched comparison group of 30 nonabused women. Women in the incest group self-reported sexual abuse before age 18 by a father or stepfather. Sexual abuse was broadly defined to encompass a range of sexual activities from exhibitionism to…

The national attention focused on child sexual abuse has resulted in calls for prevention programs and ways to protect children. A child sexual abuse prevention program was developed and implemented by social workers in all the public elementary schools of a high-risk county in cooperation with the Council on Child Abuse, the Department of Family…

Recent publicity about sexual abuse may be creating more negative attitudes toward normal physical affection. In a study designed to probe this possibility, 301 parents, nonparents, and early childhood professionals rated the extent of their approval of videotaped adult-child interactions. Before viewing the tape, half of the subjects read a…

This document contains testimony and prepared statements from the Congress presented at a hearing on family violence. Statements are given from an executive involved in a television special about incest, a victim of abuse, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, and representatives from a victim witness program, the United Way, the National Conference of…

This document provides witnesses' testimony and prepared statements from two sessions of the Congressional hearing called to examine allegations of sexual abuse of children by parents or stepparents, and the problems associated with children's court testimony in criminal sexual abuse cases. Testimony from the first session includes statements from…

An evaluation was made of the Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Sexual Abuse Intervention and Treatment, a project established mainly to develop a curriculum for interdisciplinary child sexual abuse training, change attitudes and increase knowledge and skills of trainees, and promote a team approach toward training and case management among…

Intended to heighten public awareness and provide practical information to professionals, this handbook defines and describes child abuse (including sexual abuse) and its associated signs and injuries. The societal and family environments in which child abuse most typically occurs are described, and the California penal code sections pertaining to…

This chapter explores the legal responsibilities of educators concerning the problem of child abuse. The first section provides a legal definition of child abuse as behavior of a parent or guardian that (1) inflicts serious physical injury on a child by nonaccidental means; (2) creates a substantial risk of such injury; or (3) commits or allows a…

This family life instructional unit is organized around five themes: (1) the importance of families; (2) human growth and development; (3) relationships and responsibilities; (4) sexual abuse prevention; and (5) promoting positive lifestyle practices. Approximately 14 age-appropriate lessons contain student objectives, suggested activities,…