J Child Sex Abus [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Community-Based Logic Model Development to Evaluate a Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Curriculum: A Mixed-Methods Study.
Martin L, Davis A, Jones LM … +2 more , Voller V, O'Brien J
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 May · PMID 42124348 · Publisher ↗
Commercial sexual exploitation of youth (CSEY) causes significant physical and emotional harm, yet prevention research and intervention is nascent and scant. This paper describes how our study team developed and refined...
Commercial sexual exploitation of youth (CSEY) causes significant physical and emotional harm, yet prevention research and intervention is nascent and scant. This paper describes how our study team developed and refined a logic model to guide a rigorous, multi-site, randomized control trial evaluation of a curriculum for youth to prevent commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking through increased problem recognition and help-seeking. We combined community-based and mixed methods research (CB-MMR) approaches in an iterative process we created to develop our research methodology. First, we describe our five-phased, iterative, research design process, including the engagement of an 18-member research advisory board (RAB) made up of diverse practitioners, administrators, and those with lived expertise. Then we show how that process shaped the logic model content and structure including: 1) substantive changes to outcome categories the study will measure; 2) attention to the potential for victim blaming and stigma in outcome measurement; and 3) insights on how implementation context shapes outcome measurement. We highlight the important contributions and leadership of community (including lived experience experts) in research design and argue that this inclusion is necessary for rigorous research attuned to real-world contextual factors and the holistic impact of CSEY prevention efforts. Our aim is to contribute to better understanding the research design foundations of evaluative research to prevent CSEY to strengthen the evidence base, and ultimately to improve outcomes for youth.
A Scoping Review and Exploratory Analysis Applying Hamby's 2017 Conceptual Definition of Violence to Measures of Sexual Violence.
Michel PK, Anderson RE, Waldron MJ
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 May · PMID 42117512 · Publisher ↗
Prior research has demonstrated how the lack of consistent, empirical, and conceptually grounded definitions has hindered research on sexual violence (SV). Hamby (2017) outlined a four-part framework for defining violenc...
Prior research has demonstrated how the lack of consistent, empirical, and conceptually grounded definitions has hindered research on sexual violence (SV). Hamby (2017) outlined a four-part framework for defining violence - intentional, non-essential, harmful, and unwanted - to ameliorate definitional conundrums and improve methodology. This scoping review aimed to apply Hamby's framework to measures of SV to evaluate their alignment and identify areas for improvement in measuring SV across victimization and perpetration. A scoping literature review identified 37 questionnaires assessing SV victimization ( = 28) or perpetration ( = 9), each containing at least one relevant item. A two-stage coding process was used to develop and implement rating scales to operationalize Hamby's framework. Stage 1 coding suggested that all measures demonstrated face validity for each of the four criteria, highlighting the potential complexities of operationalizing the intentional and non-essential criteria. Stage 2 involved more detailed coding of the two criteria. Most questionnaires met the criteria for intentional (56%), and less than a third met the criteria for non-essential (24%); all questionnaires met the criteria for either non-essential intentional. Perpetration questionnaires were more likely to meet the intentional criteria than victimization questionnaires. Seven questionnaires (18%) met the non-essential and intentional criteria. This review demonstrated the conceptual complexities in defining and operationalizing SV using Hamby's functional definition. Future research focused on clarifying how intent and the non-essential nature of sexual acts are captured in questionnaires could improve conceptual precision within SV research.
Implementation of a School-Based Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program in an Urban Elementary School: Lessons Learned from a Pilot Evaluation Study of the Healthy Relationships Project.
Bennett CR, Ejiofoh B, Samuel S … +8 more , Treves-Kagan S, Hambrick M, Johnson L, Lennon R, Mirand D, Hirsch O, Grayson A, Molnar BE
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 May · PMID 42116614 · Publisher ↗
Child-focused, school-based prevention is the most common type of universal prevention of child sexual abuse (CSA) utilized in the United States (U.S.). Implementation of school-wide CSA primary prevention programming in...
Child-focused, school-based prevention is the most common type of universal prevention of child sexual abuse (CSA) utilized in the United States (U.S.). Implementation of school-wide CSA primary prevention programming in busy urban elementary schools in high-need communities can be complex, made even more so by the sensitive nature of the topic of CSA. The Healthy Relationships Project (HRP), created by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, consists of manualized, developmentally-appropriate, CSA primary prevention curricula implemented since 1990 in 30 U.S. States. Informed by the Social Ecological Model by Bronfenbrenner, the HRP works across ecological levels with curricula that include training for school staff, six classroom lessons, and caregiver workshops. A rigorous stepped-wedge randomized trial to evaluate schoolwide implementation of the HRP in public and public-charter schools in high-need wards in Washington, DC, among Pre-K through 5 grade students is underway. Prior to the trial's start, the research team evaluated a pilot of the intervention in one public charter school. This pilot study involved mixed-methods research consisting of pre-intervention surveys with staff/faculty ( = 27) and caregivers ( = 27), pre- and post-intervention interviews with staff, faculty and caregivers ( = 4), and a post-intervention focus group with staff/faculty ( = 1 focus group with four participants). Strengths and challenges of implementation, the sensitivity associated with the topic of CSA, and the acceptability and feasibility of engagement of stakeholders were identified as themes. The complexities of implementation of this CSA prevention model in an urban public-charter school, in a high-need neighborhood, will be presented for others implementing similar preventive interventions.
Forensic Psychological Assessment in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse: A Scoping Review.
Gomes JP, Fernandes D, Paulo RM … +1 more , Matos M
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Apr · PMID 42108675 · Publisher ↗
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a significant global concern with profound emotional, social and legal implications. Forensic psychological assessments play a critical role in legal investigations, aiding in the validation o...
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a significant global concern with profound emotional, social and legal implications. Forensic psychological assessments play a critical role in legal investigations, aiding in the validation of allegations and ensuring appropriate interventions for victims. This scoping review examines the existing empirical literature on forensic psychological assessment procedures in CSA cases, aiming to provide an overview of the methods and practices employed in various contexts. A comprehensive search was conducted across four databases (PsycArticles, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and supplemented by handsearching, resulting in the inclusion of 57 studies published between 1986 and 2024, covering procedures applied in 14 countries. The review identified a wide variety of assessment practices addressing multiple domains, such as developmental functioning, abuse-focused information, statements' credibility, trauma-related psychopathology, and family dynamics. These assessments also differed in their purposes, methodologies and instruments used, professionals involved, settings, number of sessions, and timing of evaluations. This diversity can be explained by the distinct judicial systems and specific requirements governing these assessments. Overall, the review underscores the importance of standardized yet flexible protocols that account for legal, cultural, and individual factors, ultimately informing policy and practice to enhance the forensic assessment of CSA cases.
That's Inappropriate: Development of the Educator Misconduct Prevention and Reporting Inventory.
Carlyle K, Ramezani N, Oyefuga E … +6 more , Russo J, Lefeavers S, Kitching E, Dougherty S, Shakeshaft C, Conley A
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 May · PMID 42087596 · Publisher ↗
Currently, there is no validated tool to assess educators' intent to report boundary-crossing behaviors (BCB) and educator sexual misconduct (ESM). This study aimed to address this gap by evaluating the psychometric prop...
Currently, there is no validated tool to assess educators' intent to report boundary-crossing behaviors (BCB) and educator sexual misconduct (ESM). This study aimed to address this gap by evaluating the psychometric properties of the new () scale developed within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Data for this study were derived from school employee survey responses collected from 63 schools across 12 school districts, in nine U.S. states. Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses provide strong evidence that the EMPRI is a valid and reliable tool, with Cronbach's reliability coefficients of 0.81 to 0.92 in the exploratory phase and .74 to .93 in the confirmatory phase. The findings from the EFA, and confirmed by the CFA, support two separate latent constructs, with a total of 38 items. The first construct, , has three factors: (1) attitudes toward boundary crossing behaviors, (2) self-efficacy to intervene, and (3) social norms toward reporting BCB. The second construct, , consists of three factors: (1) school response efficacy, (2) self-efficacy of recognizing and responding to ESM, and (3) social norms toward reporting ESM. The EMPRI can be used to understand school personnel's understanding and beliefs of where the line is drawn between inappropriate and appropriate behavior with students. By measuring what educators understand as boundary crossing behavior for sexual misconduct, schools can tailor training content and measure the impact interventions have in preventing sexual misconduct.
Shortening the Sexual Experiences Survey-Victimization (SES-V) by Combining Sexual Behaviors.
Anderson RE, Dolney NA
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 May · PMID 42081663 · Publisher ↗
The Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) is a widely used measure of sexual victimization. The most recent version of the SES, the Sexual Experiences Survey-Victimization (SES-V), released in 2024 is longer than prior version...
The Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) is a widely used measure of sexual victimization. The most recent version of the SES, the Sexual Experiences Survey-Victimization (SES-V), released in 2024 is longer than prior versions. This raises potential concerns about the length of the SES. However, no existing research has examined questionnaire length in relation to SES function or outcomes. Participants were 351 college women who completed an anonymous online questionnaire as part of a larger study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two early versions of the SES-V. Participants either received the standard sexual behavior items (six sub-stems, total 120 items), or combined sexual behavior items (three sub-stems, total 60 items). In the standard condition, the overall prevalence rate was 56.1%; in the shortened condition the prevalence rate was 61.0%; these were not statistically significant differences, (1) = .838, = .360, Cramer's = .049. We repeated these analyses for different types of sexual behaviors and for each module. There were no statistically significant differences in the endorsement of non-penetrative sexual contact (48.7 vs 54.9%), penetrative contact (34.8 vs. 34.1%), or made-to-penetrate contact (42.8 vs. 47.0%), 's > .245. There were no statistically significant differences in indicators of survey fatigue, including the survey duration ((349) = .189). Combining sexual behaviors appears to be an efficient way to facilitate the brevity of sexual victimization measurements while likely having minimal impact on reported prevalence rates.
Latent Patterns of Violence and Racism on Mental Health and Coping Among Black Women.
Eshelman LR, Bhuptani PH, Salim SR
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 May · PMID 42080344 · Publisher ↗
Black women are underrepresented in interpersonal violence research and studies often overlook the impact of racism on mental health. The current study used person-centered analytic methods to identify latent profiles of...
Black women are underrepresented in interpersonal violence research and studies often overlook the impact of racism on mental health. The current study used person-centered analytic methods to identify latent profiles of Black women's experiences of child maltreatment, adult sexual assault (ASA), racism, and gendered racism. Differences in depression, alcohol use, and discrimination coping strategies were examined across profiles. Data from 425 Black women in the United States revealed a three-profile solution. Profile 1 (; = 267) had the lowest scores on all measures. Profile 2 ( = 92) reported high gendered racism, moderate racism, moderate child maltreatment, and moderate ASA severity. Profile 3 (; = 66) reported high child maltreatment, moderate ASA, moderate racism, and moderate gendered racism. ANOVAs revealed the High Gendered Racism and High Child Maltreatment profiles reported greater depression symptoms than the Lower Adversity profile. The High Gendered Racism profile reported higher alcohol use than the Lower Adversity profile, and the High Child Maltreatment profile did not differ from either. Similar patterns emerged for coping strategies, except all profiles differed for detachment: High Child Maltreatment reported the highest detachment coping, followed by High Gendered Racism, and Lower Adversity. Findings suggest racial discrimination can be as harmful as interpersonal violence. The High Child Maltreatment profile's greater reliance on detachment coping suggests disengagement as a response to cumulative trauma. Findings emphasize the need for further exploration of mental health and coping strategies within an intersectional framework to understand how Black women navigate interpersonal violence and systemic oppression.
A Qualitative Study of Psychosocial and Medical Care in German Childhood-Haus Facilities After Online Child Sexual Abuse.
Horvay R, Menhart R, Helling-Bakki A … +2 more , Stellermann-Strehlow K, Winter SM
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 May · PMID 42037038 · Publisher ↗
As part of the EU-funded PROMISE Elpis project, this qualitative study examines psychosocial and medical care standards for children and adolescents affected by online child sexual abuse (OCSA) within German Childhood-Ha...
As part of the EU-funded PROMISE Elpis project, this qualitative study examines psychosocial and medical care standards for children and adolescents affected by online child sexual abuse (OCSA) within German Childhood-Haus (CHH) facilities. OCSA, encompassing acts such as grooming, sextortion, and the distribution of explicit materials, poses unique challenges due to its merge with other forms of abuse and the blurred boundaries between digital and physical abuse. The study seeks to identify existing practices, gaps, and areas for improvement in addressing OCSA. The method is based on semi-structured interviews with experts from psychosocial as well as medical care. These interviews were analyzed using structured content analysis. Results show that OCSA is often perceived as a comorbid condition accompanying physical abuse or legal cases, limiting systematic screening and intervention. Additional findings are the need for specialized training, standardized definitions and procedures regarding OCSA, and underscoring the importance of age- and developmentally appropriate, trauma-sensitive care for affected children and adolescents. Medical professionals report difficulty addressing OCSA cases because injuries may be invisible, while psychosocial teams cite insufficient training and the absence of standard protocols. The "metaphorical fog" surrounding OCSA - characterized by confusion about its scope and impact - exacerbates these challenges, complicating both diagnosis and treatment. Closing these gaps could improve the quality and consistency of care, enhancing recovery outcomes for affected children and reducing the long-term impacts of OCSA.
Perceptions of Sibling Privacy Boundaries in a Primarily Hispanic College Population.
Ortiz Diaz K, Kenny MC
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Apr · PMID 41999156 · Publisher ↗
Families establish both spoken and unspoken physical boundaries between family members. However, families may violate boundaries in a way that may constitute normative family practices but may also increase the risk of s...
Families establish both spoken and unspoken physical boundaries between family members. However, families may violate boundaries in a way that may constitute normative family practices but may also increase the risk of sibling sexual abuse (SSA). Drawing on previous work, we utilized the Family Practice Questionnaire, Version VII in a current sample of largely, Hispanic college students. One thousand and sixty-one ( = 1,061) students from a large Hispanic Serving Institute in the southeastern U.S. served as participants. Results found variation in the perceptions of family practices (e.g. hygiene, affection, and privacy behaviors), with participants endorsing some behaviors as inappropriate at any ages, particularly if the behavior revolved around nudity. Similar to previous research, some significant gender differences in behaviors were found where older sisters were often thought to be able to engage in certain behaviors with younger siblings (both male and female) longer than older brothers. Likewise, significant differences were found as a factor of participant gender and racial-ethnic identity for some behaviors, suggesting that these variables may influence perceptions on what behaviors are appropriate. These results have implications for family health discussions with physicians and other health professionals involved in child and family care in order to ensure that children are protected.
"Alone in my head, I did my best not to feel anything": A Qualitative Study of the Lived Experience of Male Survivors of Institutional CSA.
Wyles P, O'Leary P, Tsantefski M … +1 more , Young A
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Feb · PMID 41968937 · Publisher ↗
The over-representation of males as survivors of institutional child sexual abuse is increasingly accepted in the research literature. Despite this, there is little in the research that considers the lived experience of...
The over-representation of males as survivors of institutional child sexual abuse is increasingly accepted in the research literature. Despite this, there is little in the research that considers the lived experience of male survivors. This study examines the experience of male survivors through their narratives that emerged from the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013-2017). A qualitative content analysis approach was used to examine data. Inductive coding of de-identified survivor narratives from the Royal Commission's private sessions allowed categorization. The analysis included four institutional types - armed forces, religious, sport and recreation, and youth detention - where abuse occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, making 412 narratives. Survivor narrative categories emerged in three areas: (1) (2) , and (3) . This article focuses on the analysis of the first category. Six dominant emotions emerged from the narratives: anger, confusion, embarrassment, fear, guilt, and shame. Analysis identified child sexual assault-related issues including the abuse of other children, locations where the abuse took place, multiple abuse incidents, and co-occurring physical abuse. Major impacts identified include alcohol and other drugs, mental health, problems at school/work, and relationship difficulties. A variety of emotions and impacts for survivors, including parallel experiences across institutional types, emerged from the analysis of the data. This study adds to the research literature elevating survivor voices. Strengths and limitations of this study are discussed along with practice, policy, and research implications.
Therapeutic Alliance as a Mediator in the Absence of Post-Treatment Recidivism: A Study of Men Who Have Committed a Sexual Offense Against a Child.
Garant E, Gauthier A
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Feb · PMID 41968724 · Publisher ↗
The impact of motivation for change, group therapy climate, and therapeutic alliance on treatment success in men who have committed sexual offenses (MCSOs) has produced mixed results in previous studies, often studied in...
The impact of motivation for change, group therapy climate, and therapeutic alliance on treatment success in men who have committed sexual offenses (MCSOs) has produced mixed results in previous studies, often studied independently or limited to treatment progression. Thus, the way these factors interact and influence post-treatment recidivism remains unclear. The present study addressed this gap by examining the interplay of these factors in a sample of 140 men who had committed sexual offenses against children, followed for a potential recidivism period of 5-8 years, using both repeated measures ANOVA and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results from the ANOVA showed a decrease in cognitive distortions supporting child sexual offenses before and after treatment, associated to a stronger therapeutic alliance. SEM analysis revealed that the therapeutic alliance mediated the relationship between motivation, group climate, and the absence of post-treatment recidivism. These findings highlight the central role of the therapist in treatment effectiveness with MCSOs.
Performing Motherhood After Trauma: A Qualitative Analysis of Non-Offending Mothers in Cases of Transgenerational Child Sexual Abuse.
Vallejo-Correa V
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 May · PMID 41968681 · Publisher ↗
Transgenerational child sexual abuse (CSA-T) remains one of the most hidden yet persistent forms of interpersonal trauma, reproducing harm across generations and deepening gender-based violence through its disproportiona...
Transgenerational child sexual abuse (CSA-T) remains one of the most hidden yet persistent forms of interpersonal trauma, reproducing harm across generations and deepening gender-based violence through its disproportionate emotional, symbolic, and social impact on women. This study examines the performative effects of dominant cultural and institutional discourses surrounding motherhood on Chilean women who are non-offending mothers and survivors of CSA, and whose children have also experienced sexual abuse. This study employed a qualitative design grounded in feminist and social constructionist epistemologies. Eight participants engaged in in-depth interviews, and six of them subsequently participated in a photointervention process. Thematic discourse analysis revealed how social mandates of maternal blame, idealized responsibility, and protective failure are internalized and reproduced, exacerbating psychological distress and social isolation. Based on these findings, a quadrant model was developed to map the intersection between the type of institutional intervention and the emotional, symbolic, and relational effects experienced by these women. Findings highlight the symbolic violence exerted by institutional and therapeutic frameworks that individualize responsibility for child protection, reinforcing gendered trauma and limiting access to supportive care. This article calls for a collective rethinking of childcare as a shared social responsibility and underscores the need for trauma-informed, gender-sensitive policies and interventions.
Talking About Sex: Sexual Communication in the Context of Sexual Revictimization.
Beckham EE, Thompson MS, Duckworth JC … +1 more , Jaffe AE
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Feb · PMID 41968656 · Full text
The relationship between sexual victimization and communication is crucial to examine, given research suggesting that effective and frequent communication about sexual activities helps facilitate safer sex behaviors, sex...
The relationship between sexual victimization and communication is crucial to examine, given research suggesting that effective and frequent communication about sexual activities helps facilitate safer sex behaviors, sexual functioning, and pleasure. Building on prior studies in this area, which tend to focus on assertiveness, the current study examines childhood sexual abuse (CSA), adolescent/adulthood sexual assault (ASA), and communication frequency across three domains: safer sex behaviors, sexual interests, and consent/boundaries. The sample consisted of 422 sexually-active undergraduates recruited from four U.S. universities (M = 19.77; 76.5% women). Moderation analyses revealed that more severe ASA was associated with more frequent communication about safer sex and consent, but only for those with a history of CSA. The elevated frequency of communication following more severe and repeated sexual victimization may highlight survivors' resilience in having ongoing conversations about safety in sexual situations.
Sexual Offending with Childlike Sex Dolls in Australia: A Descriptive Study of Media Reports.
Richards K, Elias A, Miles G
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Feb · PMID 41964648 · Publisher ↗
Childlike sex dolls (CLSDs) present an issue of growing concern for criminal justice professionals and child safety advocates around the globe, with legislation being rapidly introduced to combat this problem. Empirical...
Childlike sex dolls (CLSDs) present an issue of growing concern for criminal justice professionals and child safety advocates around the globe, with legislation being rapidly introduced to combat this problem. Empirical research on this topic is limited, and little has been documented about individuals who import, own and/or use CLSDs. This study sought to contribute to knowledge by examining newsprint media reports concerning cases ( = 33) of CLSD importation and/or use in Australia. The research sets out the key features of these cases to advance understanding and inform professionals tasked with preventing and responding to the problem of CLSDs, such as law enforcement and border security officers. We found that CLSD perpetrators were often found in possession of other forms of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and are typically specialist rather than generalist perpetrators. Our findings lend support to some aspects of the extant research literature by demonstrating that CLSD perpetrators have a profile similar to that of other CSAM perpetrators (rather than contact child sexual abuse perpetrators). We make a series of policy and practice recommendations based on these findings.
Online Recruitment of Young People for Research on Problematic Sexual Behavior.
Bright MA, Bödi C, Boyce SC
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Apr · PMID 41960778 · Publisher ↗
Youth are responsible for approximately 30% of the sexual harm cases involving children under age nine (termed nonconsensual sexual behavior hereafter). For a variety of reasons, young people who may initiate nonconsensu...
Youth are responsible for approximately 30% of the sexual harm cases involving children under age nine (termed nonconsensual sexual behavior hereafter). For a variety of reasons, young people who may initiate nonconsensual sexual behavior are not easily reached with prevention services or research. In the current study, we assess the feasibility of online recruitment of young people aged 14-21 years who may engage in nonconsensual sexual behavior to participate in a longitudinal survey study. A single animated advertisement was launched on Snapchat for approximately 2.5 weeks. Outcome measures included advertisement reach, impressions, and engagement. We reviewed the number of participants who completed each stage of participation and calculated the cost to obtain a participant at each stage based on the total advertisement spend during the study period. The advertisement was viewed 136,588 times by 86,746 users and achieved 1,572 click/swipes. The overall cost per click was $.59 USD. With an overall spend of $921.64 USD, the advertisement cost to recruit a potential participant was $1.07 USD. The cost to get a potential participant to each stage of participation incrementally increases with the final cost to attain a survey completion of $10.34 USD. This study provides evidence that it is both feasible and cost-effective to recruit the highly stigmatized, hard-to-reach population of youth at-risk for sexually harming children for research using a social media platform.
Characteristics and Mental Health Correlates of Nonconsensual Condom Removal Among Undergraduate Students.
Adams-Clark AA, Howe L
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Mar · PMID 41889242 · Publisher ↗
Nonconsensual condom removal (NCCR), the removal of a condom during sexual activity without consent, is a common yet underrecognized form of sexual violence that occurs within broader systems of power, identity, and stru...
Nonconsensual condom removal (NCCR), the removal of a condom during sexual activity without consent, is a common yet underrecognized form of sexual violence that occurs within broader systems of power, identity, and structural inequity. Although prior research links NCCR victimization to emotional distress, research examining identity-based disparities and a broader range of mental health correlates is needed. Among a sample of sexually active college students ( = 977), we investigated the prevalence of NCCR victimization and its association with gender and minoritized racial/ethnic and sexual identities. We also examined associations between NCCR victimization and symptoms of anxiety, depression, dissociation, sleep disturbance, sexual problems, and alcohol use. Among those reporting NCCR, we explored how incident characteristics (i.e. repeat victimization, relationship to perpetrator, unwanted pregnancy/STIs) were associated with distress. Overall, 18.2% experienced NCCR victimization, with higher rates among individuals with minoritized racial/ethnic identities compared to those with white/European identities. NCCR victimization was significantly associated with each mental health outcome, with effect sizes ranging from small ( = .34 for alcohol) to large ( = .70 for sexual problems). Associations between NCCR and symptoms of dissociation, sleep disturbance, sexual problems, and alcohol use remained statistically significant after controlling for sexual violence history. Incident characteristics were not generally associated with higher levels of mental health symptoms among those experiencing NCCR victimization, except for higher anxiety symptoms among participants who contracted an STI or became pregnant. Although cross-sectional, results suggest that NCCR victimization may have negative psychological consequences that warrant targeted prevention and intervention strategies.
Item Response Theory Analysis of the PCL-5 in Measuring Sexual Violence-Related PTSD Symptoms Among Bisexual+ Women.
Salim SR, Prakash K, Katz BW … +3 more , Eshelman LR, Kaysen DL, Messman TL
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Mar · PMID 41866807 · Publisher ↗
Women with multi-gender attractions (i.e. bisexual+ women) experience alarmingly high rates of sexual violence (SV), which puts women at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bisexual+ women experience higher ra...
Women with multi-gender attractions (i.e. bisexual+ women) experience alarmingly high rates of sexual violence (SV), which puts women at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bisexual+ women experience higher rates of PTSD compared to heterosexual and lesbian/gay people. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a widely used self-report measure of PTSD symptoms. We conducted an item response theory (IRT) analysis to evaluate the item difficulty and discrimination of PCL-5 items in assessing PTSD symptoms related to adult SV among young bisexual+ women. We combined two samples of women: sample 1 participants were recruited via MTurk ( = 267; age = 25.9, range 18-35; 82.4% White) and sample 2 participants recruited via online ads ( = 133; age = 22.0, range 18-25, 85.0% White). Item difficulty and discrimination was evaluated using IRT with a graded response model. At clinically significant levels of PTSD, the most discriminating items were: flashbacks, nightmares, reckless behavior, inability to experience positive emotions, and intrusive memories, whereas the least discriminating items were: internal avoidance, hypervigilance, difficulty with sleep, external avoidance, and exaggerated startle response. The most difficult items were: reckless behavior, flashbacks, traumatic amnesia, nightmares, and irritability, whereas the least difficult items were: internal avoidance, cued emotional distress, external avoidance, hypervigilance, and strong negative emotions. Results suggest that symptoms related to flashbacks, nightmares, and reckless behavior are important for assessing clinically significant SV-related PTSD symptoms among young bisexual+ women, whereas symptoms related to internal and external avoidance and hypervigilance may be relatively less informative.
The Mediating Role of Victimization in the Relationship Between the Sexual Double Standard and Sexual Coercion Perpetration: Evidence from a Nationwide Sample of Portuguese Adults in Committed Romantic Relationships.
Gomes A, Condeças A
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Feb · PMID 41848222 · Publisher ↗
The sexual double standard (SDS) refers to the differential judgment of men and women for identical sexual behaviors and has been linked to gendered sexual norms, relational expectations, and coercive dynamics. Sexual co...
The sexual double standard (SDS) refers to the differential judgment of men and women for identical sexual behaviors and has been linked to gendered sexual norms, relational expectations, and coercive dynamics. Sexual coercion, therein defined as the use of pressure, manipulation, or force to obtain unwanted sexual activity, remains a pervasive problem with significant psychological and relational consequences. Prior research suggests an overlap between victimization and perpetration, but less is known about how SDS beliefs may contribute to this cycle or whether pathways differ by gender. This study examined the relationships between SDS, sexual coercion victimization, and perpetration in an adult, heterosexual, non-student Portuguese sample (N = 351). Using moderation and conditional mediation analyses, results showed that SDS did not directly predict perpetration, but victimization mediated this relationship, explaining 52.2% of the variance in perpetration. Gender moderated this pathway: victimization more strongly predicted perpetration for men than for women. The relational norms dimension of SDS also operated differently between them - indirectly through victimization in women, but directly in men. These findings underscore the importance of considering gendered mechanisms in the victim - perpetrator cycle and highlight relational norms as a key target for interventions addressing coercive sexual behaviors.
The See It to Stop It Indicator Tool to Identify Child Sex Trafficking: Acceptability, Feasibility, Utility, and Outcomes.
Sprang G, Coker AL, Mennicke A … +3 more , Brancato C, Ray CM, Thorne E
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Mar · PMID 41797320 · Full text
Adolescents involved in sex trafficking may not engage in help-seeking behavior due to fear, stigma, and lack of awareness about available resources. Likewise, professionals interacting with these youth may have little g...
Adolescents involved in sex trafficking may not engage in help-seeking behavior due to fear, stigma, and lack of awareness about available resources. Likewise, professionals interacting with these youth may have little guidance on how to identify risk or respond when trafficking concerns are detected. This study describes the development, feasibility, acceptability, utility, and outcomes of the See It to Stop It Indicator (SITSII) tool for middle school staff (MSS), developed as part of a Cluster Randomized Control Trial of a bystander intervention, to prevent child sex trafficking (CST) in students. The SITSII contains 17 items categorized into three tiers of concern (Probable Concern Tier 3; Potential Concern Tier 2; Emerging Concern Tier 1) that map onto bystander actions based on a risk stratification model. Mixed-method data from 63 MSS were analyzed to determine screening outcomes, intentions to act, barriers to action, and assessments of feasibility, acceptability, and utility. Outcomes indicate that running away (Tier 3) and truancy (Tier 2), followed by a history of child maltreatment (Tier 2), were the most prevalent student behaviors, while 21% had no identifiable risk factors. This suggests a lack of bias toward over- or under-identification. Users rated the acceptability and utility of the tool favorably, and 91.5% endorsed confidence in taking the recommended bystander actions. The SITSII establishes a continuum of risk factors for CST that map onto actionable items. There is evidence of successful SITSII implementation as well as enhanced confidence in intent-to-act to protect identified students.
The Lived Experiences of Risk: Black College Women's Perspectives on Sexual Assault.
Wiseblatt AF, Fetkenhour LM, Greene B … +3 more , Turay E, Kerr E, Read JP
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Mar · PMID 41793241 · Publisher ↗
Sexual assault (SA) is a significant problem among college women. Black college women engage in some of the most common SA risk behaviors (e.g. alcohol use, hookups) less frequently than White women yet experience SA at...
Sexual assault (SA) is a significant problem among college women. Black college women engage in some of the most common SA risk behaviors (e.g. alcohol use, hookups) less frequently than White women yet experience SA at similar rates. A better understanding of Black college women's SA risk is needed. This three-phase (P1-P3) study (P1 and P2 focus groups and P3 feedback interviews), was designed to address this objective. P1 ( = 4) was conducted to determine culturally appropriate tone and content for P2 groups. P2 participants ( = 27), were queried about perceptions of specific SA risks for Black college women, and later (P3) provided feedback on how investigators had summarized these findings. P2 thematic analysis revealed themes both consistent with and distinct from prior college SA literature. Specifically, like White women, Black college women report risks around alcohol use and hookups. Dissimilarly, they emphasized pressures - both internal and external - in committed sexual relationships and described experiences of racialized objectification and perceived hypersexuality. Findings highlight racialized ways that men sexually objectify and pressure Black college women to engage in sexual activities, as well as women's internal struggles regarding sexual decisions. The extensive nature of risk factors Black college women report illustrates a complex and potentially unique landscape of SA risk.
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