Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics show a 183% increase in female juvenile prostitution and a 245% increase in male juvenile prostitution between the years 1969 and 1978. Most of these juveniles were runaways who shared a common childhood background of physical and sexual abuse. In 1981, a city task force was created to examine the problem…

This document contains guidelines developed by the Alberta Ministries of Social Services and Education to expedite the identification and treatment of child abuse. It contains discussions of child protection legislation, duty to report, the role of educators, and an integrated and cooperative approach to child abuse prevention. A section on…

A multi-method approach involving observations, interviews, and parental self-reports of family behavior, was developed to investigate the parenting behaviors of mothers who either had been or had not been sexually abused in their families when children. Of the 20 families with mothers who had been abused, 10 were two-parent and 10 were…

This document contains supplementary material related to helping children protect themselves from sexual abuse to accompany New York City public schools' Family Living including Sex Education programs. For grades prekindergarten through grade two and grades three through four, it presents the concept that protecting oneself is an important part of…

This study investigated family characteristics as risk factors for sexual abuse by examining the family environments of both abused and nonabused young adults as assessed by the Family Environment Scale. Participants were college students (N=230) at a major southeastern university. A total of 105 students reported sexual experiences which occurred…

Statistics indicate that 100,000 to 500,000 children are sexually abused yearly. Changing child abuse laws, significant attention by the media, and sexual abuse prevention programs have contributed to the explosion of incest disclosures from children and adults, including college students. Studies support the prevalence of incest victims within…

Extending an earlier analysis by Giovannoni and Becerra (1979) that compared attitudes of Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites toward child abuse and neglect, this discussion provides an in-depth analysis of responses by Black parents. Vignettes describing situations of potential risk to children were rated by 129 Black respondents. The vignettes…

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 16 age-appropriate lessons contain student objectives, suggested activities,…

This publication, intended to serve as a general guideline, presents responses to 20 questions on the specific roles and responsibilities of individual teachers when they are involved in reporting child abuse and neglect. The Legal Services section of each Department of Social Services in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa,…

The paper presents the multi-factorial problem of sexual abuse of children within their families, provides definitions of relevant terms (incest, sexual abuse, sexual misuse, molestation, sexual assault, rape), reviews the epidemiology of sexual abuse and its effects, and traces development of a Sexual Abuse Resource Team in a rural/resort New…

Examines the importance of defining terms in the process of gathering statistical data. Cites the example of the debate over the number of children abducted by strangers. Concludes that statistics are part of the persuasive rhetoric of social problem promotion and have social consequences. (FMW)

Discusses appropriate preventive methods for parents, dealing with sexual abuse in a matter-of-fact manner. Encourages parental reinforcement of child's understanding of his school's good touch/bad touch program through open communication, safety rules, and other measures. Recommends responses to actual child sexual abuse victims. (DST)

Suggests ways to enable school counselors to help sexually abused children help themselves. Lists developing an awareness of the family dynamics; establishing trust, empathy, and rapport; recognizing feelings of the victim; and building positive self-esteem as counseling strategies. (ABB)

Analysis of 4,132 child abuse cases reported to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department demonstrated significant differences attributed to ethnic group status, reflecting variations in family structure and childrearing attitudes. Anglo and Hispanic males and Black females were most frequent suspects. Proportion of physical abuse to sexual abuse…

Child advocates have succeeded in getting child abuse recognized as a serious social problem requiring governmental response. Ironically, this success now threatens the viability of child abuse programs: 65 percent of all reports are ultimately dismissed. This flood of unfounded reports violates parental rights and overwhelms the limited resources…