J Child Sex Abus [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Who Steps in and for Whom? The Impact of Bystander Relationship and Victim Gender on the Likelihood of Helping Behavior During Sexual Harassment.
Ford K, Ham LS, Sawyer H
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Mar · PMID 41787724 · Publisher ↗
Bystanders are most frequently present prior to a sexual assault, wherein it is possible that bystanders witness sexual harassment (e.g. sexist jokes, unwanted touching). The relationship between the victim and the sex o...
Bystanders are most frequently present prior to a sexual assault, wherein it is possible that bystanders witness sexual harassment (e.g. sexist jokes, unwanted touching). The relationship between the victim and the sex of the victim can impact bystander intervention during sexual violence. As such, the present study examines how the presence of certain types of bystanders (e.g. friends) during sexual harassment influences the likelihood of bystander intervention, and whether the gender of the victim moderates this relationship. Participants included 724 college students (78.9% female; 82.9% White; 89.4% heterosexual) ages 18 to 24 (age = 18.97, age = 1.12) who reported at least one experience of sexual harassment, the presence of a witness during sexual harassment, and indicated whether a bystander intervened. Two binomial linear regressions were conducted. Friends were less likely to intervene than roommates or family, but more likely than acquaintances or strangers. Although gender moderation was not supported, male victims reported that bystanders were less likely to intervene compared to bystanders of female victims. Consistent with previous work, the odds of bystander intervention are significantly related to the context in which sexual harassment occurs. Family members and roommates may feel a stronger sense of responsibility to intervene due to their closeness to the victim compared to other bystander types. Men who experienced sexual harassment were less likely to report bystander intervention during sexual harassment than women, which suggests barriers to helping behavior. Implications for bystander programming, clinical work, and future research are discussed.
Socioecological Perspectives on Healing After Child Sexual Abuse: An Application of the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework.
Westphaln KK, Masotya M, Haas B … +4 more , Regoeczi W, McDavid L, Johnson J, Ronis S
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Jan · PMID 41785047 · Publisher ↗
Children who experience childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and their non-offending family members are frequently referred to Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) for multisector service coordination and evidence-based treatments...
Children who experience childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and their non-offending family members are frequently referred to Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) for multisector service coordination and evidence-based treatments. Little is known about how interactions with the CAC model impact healing after CSA from a socioecological context (child, parent/caregiver, family). This qualitative study explored facilitators and barriers to healing after CSA within a socioecological context among families that received care at an urban Midwestern CAC. Semi-structured interviews ( = 15) were conducted with parents of children who experienced CSA and received services at the CCAC. Data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six phase method of thematic analysis and a family-centered adaptation of the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework. Findings reflected three main themes: healing, facilitators and barriers, and opportunities for CACs to promote healing after CSA. In conclusion, CAC-based interventions that incorporate a socioecological approach and community-engaged perspectives may reduce barriers to care and promote healing after CSA for children, parents, and families.
Adolescent Perspectives on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Prevention Programming: What do Prevention Developers Need to Know?
O'Brien JE, Voller V, Jones L … +2 more , Makena A, Martin LJ
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Mar · PMID 41784255 · Publisher ↗
The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is confirmed across all racial and ethnic identities, socioeconomic statuses, geographic regions, and backgrounds, underscoring a need for greater general awareness o...
The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is confirmed across all racial and ethnic identities, socioeconomic statuses, geographic regions, and backgrounds, underscoring a need for greater general awareness of the crime and the many trajectories of abuse it may encompass. CSEC prevention programs are one suggested method of averting initial or re-victimization of particularly vulnerable children and youth, as well as providing youth who have been exposed to CSEC with needed supports and resources. The current study asked 28 youth (ages 15-18) who had recently participated in the (NAN) CSEC prevention education program their perspectives on the most memorable and/or valuable pieces of CSEC prevention programing. Focus groups were held with 28 youths across four focus groups at four sites - two in Texas, and two in Minnesota. Qualitative coding revealed 3 main components of CSEC prevention programming that youth found most valuable: (1) relatability and relevance of curriculum, (b) the importance of digital safety, and (c) engaging and interactive pedagogies. The attributes of program delivery identified as valuable in the study provide insight into the experiences of youth who have participated in CSEC prevention programming, and future programming needs and considerations for program developers aiming to deliver CSEC primary prevention programming to children and youth. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Childhood Sexual Abuse, Adolescent-Adult Sexual Assault, and Revictimization: Do Emotion Regulation and Mindfulness Buffer Associations with Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms?
Wang SS, Blayney JA, Jaffe AE … +3 more , Stappenbeck CA, George WH, Davis KC
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Jan · PMID 41776958 · Full text
Women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and/or adolescent-adult sexual assault (ASA) can have different trauma-related symptom presentations in early adulthood, but the role of coping resources in mitigating...
Women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and/or adolescent-adult sexual assault (ASA) can have different trauma-related symptom presentations in early adulthood, but the role of coping resources in mitigating victimization-related distress is understudied. Thus, the present study examined women with sexual victimization histories by developmental period (CSA-only, ASA-only, or CSA + ASA) and the role that mindfulness and emotion regulation play as coping resources that may buffer against post-traumatic stress. Participants were 247 cisgender community women aged 21-30 recruited for a larger study on high-risk drinking and sexual behaviors. Negative binomial regression models revealed significant differences in PTSS severity by victimization pattern: CSA + ASA was associated with the greatest PTSS severity, followed by ASA-only, and CSA-only reporting the lowest severity. Though no buffering effects were found, emotion regulation and mindfulness were directly associated with lower PTSS severity across all victimization patterns. Results indicate the need for targeted interventions for those who have experienced both CSA and ASA. Findings also suggest that improving mindfulness and emotion regulation may be beneficial, though not sufficient, for recovery following sexual victimization regardless of victimization pattern. Future interventions could prioritize increasing coping resources to reduce distress for victim-survivors of sexual victimization.
The Link Between Child Sexual Abuse, Identity, and Self-Harm: A Study of Identity Statuses in Youth.
Pastor-Cerezo V, Cuéllar AI
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 May · PMID 41772847 · Publisher ↗
This study investigates the relationships between childhood sexual abuse (CSA), self-injurious thoughts, and behaviors within a sample exhibiting diverse identity statuses. Despite no significant correlations between ide...
This study investigates the relationships between childhood sexual abuse (CSA), self-injurious thoughts, and behaviors within a sample exhibiting diverse identity statuses. Despite no significant correlations between identity statuses and CSA, self-injurious thoughts and behaviors were prevalent, with notable incidences in the and statuses. The functions and triggers of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors have been analyzed, identifying significant associations with emotional states and family dynamics. Findings suggest a cyclical relationship between negative emotional states and self-harm, as illustrated by the Emotional Cascades Model. Limitations include sample size and gender representativeness, highlighting the need for further research to explore these dynamics more comprehensively, particularly regarding the role of identity and emotional regulation.
Enhancing Safety for Children in Out-of-Home Care Impacted by Harmful Sexual Behaviors: A Scoping Review.
Paton AJ, Shihata S, Winslade K … +1 more , Ibrahim N
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Apr · PMID 41769827 · Publisher ↗
Harmful sexual behavior (HSB) is associated with significant risks and long-term adverse impacts. For children and young people who have displayed HSB, promoting safety and wellbeing across developmental timeframes is cr...
Harmful sexual behavior (HSB) is associated with significant risks and long-term adverse impacts. For children and young people who have displayed HSB, promoting safety and wellbeing across developmental timeframes is critical. Although substantial knowledge and guidance exists on risk assessment and safety management, there is limited guidance on how to develop detailed safety plans within out-of-home care (OOHC) contexts. This scoping review aimed to inform the development of short- and long-term safety plans for children and young people in OOHC following HSB. Sixteen peer-reviewed papers and practice or policy guides exploring HSB in the OOHC context that included commentary on safety were reviewed. Although the search strategy spanned multiple countries, most of the eligible studies were from the United Kingdom (UK), Scotland, and Australia. A reflexive thematic approach identified three main themes: enhancing acute short-term safety, enhancing long-term safety and building strengths, and key principles/processes to consider for safety planning. Findings highlight multiple domains relevant to safety planning, including interpersonal relationships, cultural connection, social media use, and placement dynamics. The results indicate that safety planning should be collaborative and involve children and young people. The literature further emphasized the importance of relational, organizational and systemic context alongside individual behavior. While this review identifies core considerations for safety planning following HSB in OOHC, geographical limitations should be considered when applying the findings to other international settings. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of safety planning approaches and their contribution to safety and wellbeing over time.
Mediating Effects of Masculine Norms on Posttraumatic Stress, Depression, and Anxiety Symptoms Among Adult Men with an Emphasis on Child Sexual Abuse Survivors.
DePorter JD, Eshelman LR, Messman T
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Feb · PMID 41708068 · Publisher ↗
Victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) are at greater risk of developing psychopathology in adulthood. Most research on CSA has focused on female survivors, while the experiences of male survivors have been comparatively un...
Victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) are at greater risk of developing psychopathology in adulthood. Most research on CSA has focused on female survivors, while the experiences of male survivors have been comparatively understudied. Consequently, factors that contribute to the mental health outcomes of male CSA survivors require further investigation. The current study examined how greater endorsement of conformity to masculine norms (Winning, Emotional Control, Risk-Taking, Violence, Playboy, Self-Reliance, Primacy of Work, Power Over Women, and Heterosexual Self-Presentation) mediated the relation between CSA severity and depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Data were collected from 649 adult males, 25.2% of whom reported experiencing child or adolescent sexual abuse (mean age = 29.7). The sample was recruited from a college sample and through Amazon MTurk. Mediation analyses confirmed significant direct effects between CSA and depression and anxiety symptoms, but not PTSS. Masculinity subscales, Playboy and Self-Reliance, mediated the relation between CSA and depression and anxiety. None of the masculinity subscales had a significant mediating effect between CSA and PTSS. Findings demonstrated that adherence to masculine norms influence long-term mental health outcomes in men. Clinicians working with male CSA survivors may operationalize these findings to tailor treatment by restructuring clients' views of masculinity to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Perceived Behavioral Control in Sexual Consent: Effects on Sexual Satisfaction Following Sexual Assault.
West Staples V, Youngren WA, Neilson EC
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Feb · PMID 41703893 · Publisher ↗
Sexual assault disrupts numerous aspects of sexual functioning, such as sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction defined as the sense of positive emotions and fulfillment derived from sexual encounters. Related to sexual...
Sexual assault disrupts numerous aspects of sexual functioning, such as sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction defined as the sense of positive emotions and fulfillment derived from sexual encounters. Related to sexual satisfaction, the ability to establish and seek consent is thought to play a critical role in promoting sexual satisfaction. Conversely, a lack of perceived behavioral control to engage in consent behaviors may compound the adverse effects of sexual assault on sexual satisfaction. Despite these potential connections, limited research has explored the interaction between sexual assault, lack of perceived behavioral control, and sexual satisfaction, thus, the current study aims to address these gaps in the literature. Our study utilized an anonymous, online survey where participants ( 405) reported the severity of past-year sexual assault and lifetime sexual assault, sexual satisfaction, and lack of perceived behavioral control to seek consent in sexual situations. Moderation analyses revealed that sexual assault in the past-year impacted the relationship between perceived behavioral control and sexual satisfaction, where higher levels of perceived control led to higher levels of satisfaction when the sexual assault was less severe. Examining the interaction between sexual assault and perceived behavioral control offers insight into additional factors that influence sexual well-being among survivors, offering valuable insights for identifying treatment targets. Additionally, this may inform future research to investigate how risk reduction programs that bolster protective behavioral strategies to prevent victimization and build sexual assertiveness skills enhanced perceived control and consent behaviors.
School Counselors and Child Sex Trafficking: Insights into Their Training, Practices, and Perceptions of Competence.
Evans Zalewski S, Blau JJ, Biggins P … +1 more , Vass J
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Jan · PMID 41702841 · Publisher ↗
The purpose of this empirical study is to examine the preparation and perceived competence of school counselors in addressing instances involving children at risk of or who are victims of child sex trafficking. This nati...
The purpose of this empirical study is to examine the preparation and perceived competence of school counselors in addressing instances involving children at risk of or who are victims of child sex trafficking. This national study convenience sampled 158 self-identified school counselors using a quantitative survey inquiring into their knowledge and training pertaining to students at risk for sex trafficking. The results indicate that school counselors do not see themselves as competent nor do they have training in identifying and aiding students at risk for child sex trafficking. Since school counselors are perhaps the most easily accessible mental health professionals for children, charged with caring for and advocating for all students, they should be provided training about child sex trafficking so that they can identify and help these students.
Randomized Control Trial Protocol to Evaluate an Engaged-Bystander Approach to Prevent Child Sex Trafficking.
Sprang G, Mennicke A, Clear ER … +9 more , Brienzo MJ, Roark AL, Willard J, Tsukerman K, Thorne E, Ray CM, Brancato CJ, Duncan MS, Coker AL
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Feb · PMID 41660944 · Publisher ↗
Risk factors for child sex trafficking (CST) include substance use among familial traffickers, family violence, and poverty. Our research team will develop a novel intervention and prevention program based on these risk...
Risk factors for child sex trafficking (CST) include substance use among familial traffickers, family violence, and poverty. Our research team will develop a novel intervention and prevention program based on these risk factors to reduce CST. We describe the design and methods we will use to evaluate our county-level cluster randomized control trial (cRCT) conducted in middle schools. Research aims include testing the combined effectiveness of 1) a mass media campaign targeting CST prevention and 2) an engaged-bystander training intervention to reduce CST. Fifty counties with >2 middle schools were randomized to the intervention (25 counties, 113 eligible schools) or attention control (25 counties, 101 eligible schools). Intervention counties will receive both a CST prevention-focused mass media campaign (billboards) and CST intervention training. The online CST engaged-bystander training will be offered to consenting middle school staff within intervention counties. Middle school staff in control counties will also receive online training focused solely on CST identification, referral, and reporting. To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention versus control, consenting participants will be asked to complete pre- and post-training surveys, their assigned training, and follow-up surveys. Outcome measures include knowledge, attitudes, willingness, and self-efficacy to reduce CST by actions to identify children at risk, make referrals, and report CST. Implementing CST prevention and intervention training is anticipated to increase actions taken to reduce CST risk in intervention versus control counties. Reductions in CST risk could have direct relevance for national CST prevention programming.
Motivational Interviewing Training for Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth Service Providers.
Lanning BA, Noreen CN, Young E … +4 more , Amezcua C, Tijani A, Sumpter G, Pooler D
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Feb · PMID 41657323 · Publisher ↗
The commercial sexual exploitation of youth (CSEY) is a critical public health crisis, with survivors often experiencing profound trauma, distrust of formal support systems, and ambivalence toward care. Given these chall...
The commercial sexual exploitation of youth (CSEY) is a critical public health crisis, with survivors often experiencing profound trauma, distrust of formal support systems, and ambivalence toward care. Given these challenges, professionals working with CSEY require specialized training to engage and support survivors effectively. This study aimed to develop, pilot, and evaluate a Motivational Interviewing (MI) training program tailored for professionals assisting CSEY. The goals of this study were to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the MI-CSEY training in enhancing professional knowledge, attitudes, and skills in using MI techniques. The objectives included: (1) developing an MI training program specific to professionals working with CSEY, (2) piloting the program across seven geographical sites in Texas, and (3) evaluating its feasibility and impact on participant knowledge and self-efficacy. The MI-CSEY training was developed using formative evaluation methods, including focus groups with 11 service providers. A structured 14-hour training was implemented for 325 professionals, with knowledge and self-efficacy assessed using pre- and post-training surveys (MIKAT and MISSA). Results indicated that 75% of participants completed at least 80% of the training, with statistically significant improvements in MI knowledge ( = .026) and self-efficacy ( < .001). Participants reported high satisfaction, reinforcing the program's feasibility and potential for broader application. Future research should explore the long-term impact of MI-CSEY training on professional practice and survivor outcomes. Additionally, developing a fully remote training option would enhance accessibility, ensuring more professionals nationwide receive the skills needed to support this vulnerable population.
Creating a Youth Sex Trafficking Prevention Curriculum Using CBPAR: Challenges, Successes, and Lessons Learned.
Dalla RL, Edwards KM, Stalder J … +9 more , Nessa S, Olson S, Paschal A, Rentschler J, Wheeler LA, Ray CM, Thorne E, Yatco A, Helpingstine C
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Jan · PMID 41615658 · Full text
Project LIVE (Love, Inclusivity, Values, and Education) is a five-year Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded project designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based curriculum aimed at preventi...
Project LIVE (Love, Inclusivity, Values, and Education) is a five-year Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded project designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based curriculum aimed at preventing the sexual exploitation of children (SEC) utilizing community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) methods. This paper describes challenges, successes, and lessons learned throughout the first two years of the project (Phase I), encompassing the open pilot trial. Framed by ecological systems theory (EST);, primary challenges at the microsystem (e.g. fictitious people trying to enroll in the study, difficulty matching anonymous surveys across time), mesosystem (e.g. misalignment across microsystems, differences in cultural and lived experience background between student participants and the research team, student resistance to participation), exosystem (e.g. personnel turnover), and macrosystem (e.g. state law changes requiring active guardian consent) are delineated. Active participation among research advisory board members, protocol adaptability, and collaboration and support across microsystems constitute major successes from Phase I.
Risk and Protective Factors for Child Sexual Abuse: A Comparison of 2013 and 2022.
Hautamäki S, Laajasalo T, Ellonen N … +2 more , Mielityinen L, Lahtinen HM
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Jan · PMID 41553304 · Publisher ↗
Researching the risk and protective factors for child sexual abuse (CSA) is important for developing CSA-prevention methods. However, research regarding the changes in the significance of these factors over time is scarc...
Researching the risk and protective factors for child sexual abuse (CSA) is important for developing CSA-prevention methods. However, research regarding the changes in the significance of these factors over time is scarce. This current study examined the risk and protective factors for CSA in 2022 and compared them to those recorded in 2013. It was based on Finnish child victim surveys conducted in 2013 and 2022 with representative samples of Finnish sixth and ninth graders. Logistic regression models and average marginal effects were used to compare the risk factors between the samples. Data was used first in the context of separate samples and then combined to better establish the between-year differences by analyzing moderation effect of time. Being assigned female at birth, substance use, and having experienced physical abuse at home were the most focal variables in 2013 and 2022. Differences in risk factors were also found among samples. In 2022, the younger age, having witnessed physical domestic violence, spending time in public, and guardians' awareness of with whom their child spent time were no longer associated with CSA. Having special needs was associated with experiencing CSA in 2022 but not in 2013. This association seemed to be explained through moderative effects of time. Sixth grade and spending time in public were also moderated through time. These results suggest that changes in risk factors for CSA may occur over time. Therefore, updated research on such factors should be used to target at-risk children.
Unprotected and Unheard: Professionals' Perspectives on Sexual Violence Against SGM Youth.
Gewirtz-Meydan A, Berkowitz R, Maoz S
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Jan · PMID 41533393 · Publisher ↗
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth face a heightened risk of sexual violence, yet their experiences are often overlooked in mainstream frameworks of prevention and care. Access to appropriate support may be further l...
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth face a heightened risk of sexual violence, yet their experiences are often overlooked in mainstream frameworks of prevention and care. Access to appropriate support may be further limited by biased or uninformed professional attitudes toward both SGM identities and sexual victimization. This study explored how professionals in Israel understand and interpret sexual violence against SGM youth and how structural, psychological, and cultural factors shape vulnerability and barriers to healing. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty professionals working with SGM youth in clinical, educational, and community settings. Three interconnected themes emerged: (1) Longing for Recognition, showing how unmet attachment needs and isolation drive SGM youth into unsafe digital spaces; (2) When Shame Meets Shame, illustrating how internalized stigma and identity-related shame complicate the recognition and disclosure of harm; and (3) Silenced Pain, highlighting how family rejection, institutional neglect, and intra-community denial contribute to systemic invisibility. Five subthemes, including digital risk-taking and the burden of double disclosure, further detailed these dynamics. Identity-based stigma, digital vulnerability, and institutional gaps converge to create complex pathways of harm. Trauma-informed, LGBTQ-affirming interventions are urgently needed across clinical, educational, and policy domains.
A Call for Research Funding to Support Early Identification of Child Sexual Abuse.
Duron JF, Keeshin BR, Everson MD … +5 more , Coulborn Faller K, Finkel MA, Thorn BL, Brilleslijper-Kater S, Corwin DL
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Nov · PMID 41524263 · Publisher ↗
Child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a significant challenge for children in the United States. Despite this, research focused on identifying CSA among children aged 5 and under is underfunded compared to other child health...
Child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a significant challenge for children in the United States. Despite this, research focused on identifying CSA among children aged 5 and under is underfunded compared to other child health issues and remains a gap in the field. This paper provides five recommendations to support early identification of CSA, including a central call for research to advance key areas such as forensic interview approaches, the use of medical histories, recognition of sexual behaviors, children's knowledge and emotional responses, and the development of trauma-informed screening protocols. The remaining focused recommendations emphasize the need to strengthen investigative protocols, build community-research partnerships, conduct comparative analyses to identify best practices, and develop innovative strategies for translating and disseminating findings - each reinforcing and amplifying the impact of targeted research investment.
Survivor- and Informal Support-Initiated Disclosures of Alcohol/Drug Sexual Assaults.
Ullman SE, Canadas V, Lowry C … +2 more , Harris C, Peja T
J Child Sex Abus · 2026 Jan · PMID 41481545 · Full text
Ample research exists on sexual assault (SA) disclosure from the survivor perspective, yet studies with dyadic data, including their informal support providers (SPs), remain scarce. This is particularly true for substanc...
Ample research exists on sexual assault (SA) disclosure from the survivor perspective, yet studies with dyadic data, including their informal support providers (SPs), remain scarce. This is particularly true for substance-involved assaults which have been less studied. The present study of 29 survivors, 13 of whom were survivor-SP dyads, used interview data to address this gap. We examine how romantic partners, family, and friends experience SA disclosures from survivor and informal SP perspectives. SP-initiated disclosure themes include a) SPs prompting survivors to disclose after noticing mood/behavioral changes that gave them concern about the survivor, and b) SPs specifically disclosing their own past traumatic experience, which led to survivor SA disclosure. Survivor-initiated disclosure themes include a) survivor fear/anxiety related to disclosing due to fear of receiving negative reactions from SP, b) survivor disclosure prompting SP trauma disclosure, and c) positive and negative disclosure experiences affecting survivor perceptions of whether to disclose to other people. Implications are drawn for how to provide advice to survivors and SPs on improving disclosure experiences of substance-involved assaults, whether survivor or SP-initiated. Survivor anxiety regarding disclosure and feared negative social reactions are common, which requires improving societal culture to support victims and reduce social stigma via education on responding to survivors of diverse familial and cultural backgrounds. The role of survivor and SP disclosures of assault/trauma in facilitating/eliciting disclosures from the person they tell, and motivations for disclosing, are addressed to better understand mutual disclosure in dyadic relationships.
"When My Past Came Back to Me:" Understanding Mothers' Decisions to Disclose Their Experiences of Sexual Assault to Their Children.
Campbell R, Gregory K, Goodman-Williams R … +2 more , Javorka M, Engleton J
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Nov · PMID 41457344 · Publisher ↗
This study examines mothers' decisions to disclose past experiences of sexual assault to their children. These survivors reported their assaults to the police years ago, but no action was taken in their cases. When new D...
This study examines mothers' decisions to disclose past experiences of sexual assault to their children. These survivors reported their assaults to the police years ago, but no action was taken in their cases. When new DNA evidence came to light, prosecutors re-opened their cases, which caused significant disruption in survivors' personal lives and in their family dynamics. We examined whether the mothers in our sample decided to tell their children about their past sexual assault and pending court cases, and whether these decisions varied by the current age of their children. We conducted exploratory qualitative interviews with = 32 sexual assault survivors and completed a content analysis to identify why the subsample of = 23 survivors who had children did or did not disclose to their children. 30% of mothers disclosed to their children, all of whom were currently adolescents/young adults. Some felt compelled to disclose because the police's attempts to recontact them prompted questions or concerns from their children. Other mothers disclosed intentionally so they could explain why they had been depressed and anxious for years, and how this distress shaped their parenting relationships. 70% of the mothers did not disclose to their kids, most of whom were currently youth/pre-adolescents, to protect their emotional and/or physical safety. Overall, sexual assault survivors were hesitant to tell their children about their past victimization experiences and wanted more choice and control over if and how to share their information with their kids.
In Their Voices: Perceptions of Individuals Who Perpetrated Child Sexual Abuse About the INSIGHT Program.
Sousa M, Félix S, Gonçalves RA … +1 more , de Castro-Rodrigues A
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Nov · PMID 41400616 · Publisher ↗
Literature suggests that psychological interventions for individuals who perpetrated child sexual abuse (CSA) can be improved. Qualitative approaches are particularly valuable in this context, as they provide deeper insi...
Literature suggests that psychological interventions for individuals who perpetrated child sexual abuse (CSA) can be improved. Qualitative approaches are particularly valuable in this context, as they provide deeper insights into individual experiences and therapeutic processes, thereby informing the refinement of such interventions. Thus, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine men convicted of CSA, who had completed a newly developed, structured, and manualized individual program based on schema therapy (i.e. the INSIGHT), delivered either in prison or in the community in Portugal. An inductive approach of thematic analysis was used to explore the men's perceptions of the treatment. We identified three themes: expectations before the beginning of the intervention, perceptions of the process of change, and views regarding the program and its impact. Overall, participants indicated that the INSIGHT Program contributed to favorable outcomes, further highlighting the relevance of targeting early maladaptive schemas to complement the intervention programs. Findings are discussed in terms of possible improvements to the program and to the psychological intervention with perpetrators of CSA in general.
A Pre-Post Evaluation of the Sexual Communication and Consent Training Program in United States Air Force Basic Military Training, 2019-2020.
Grimes KEL, Kan ML, Macy RJ … +7 more , Martin SL, Eckhoff R, Root MK, Frerichs L, Stover AM, Shea CM, Scaglione NM
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Nov · PMID 41379015 · Publisher ↗
This study evaluated the proximal outcomes of the Sexual Communication and Consent program (SCC): a novel, tailored sexual assault (SA) prevention intervention implemented in the United States Air Force Basic Military Tr...
This study evaluated the proximal outcomes of the Sexual Communication and Consent program (SCC): a novel, tailored sexual assault (SA) prevention intervention implemented in the United States Air Force Basic Military Training from 2019 to 2020. Trainees received classroom instructor-led training and one of five tablet-delivered interventions that were tailored based on individual SA risk for perpetration, victimization, or revictimization assessed with a screening instrument. Using multilevel regression modeling, we assessed six proximal outcomes of SCC exposure in a sample of 3557 trainees with matched pretest and posttest data, analyzing results for both the overall sample and across the five SCC intervention subgroups. Within the overall sample, participation in SCC was associated with statistically significant increases in SA knowledge, consent knowledge, and self-efficacy to resist unwanted advances and statistically significant decreases in date rape attitudes and, unexpectedly, bystander intentions. Stratified analyses revealed consistent SA knowledge increases across subgroups, whereas consent knowledge and date rape attitudes were only significant in the male Healthy Relationships/Bystander Intervention subgroup. Self-efficacy to resist unwanted advances was significant in all victimization-focused subgroups except male Primary Victimization Prevention. There were no observed changes in protective dating behaviors in the overall sample or any intervention subgroup. Expanding the limited evidence-base of SA prevention programming in the US military, findings highlight the potential for tailored interventions that address SA risk factors for perpetration, victimization, or revictimization, to improve proximal outcomes known to be associated with SA incidence. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
"What Could Have Stopped This?": Exploring Opportunities for Early Intervention Through the Voices of Women Who Have Perpetrated Child Sexual Abuse.
Priebe B, Christensen LS, McKillop N … +1 more , Rayment-McHugh S
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Nov · PMID 41345049 · Publisher ↗
The voices of individuals convicted of sexual offenses - including the voices of females - are often silenced in research. Exploring the user voice has many advantages, including service improvement and enhanced evidence...
The voices of individuals convicted of sexual offenses - including the voices of females - are often silenced in research. Exploring the user voice has many advantages, including service improvement and enhanced evidence-based program development and design. The current study utilized the user voice by attaining perceptions of women sentenced for child sexual abuse (CSA) in Australia - to identify what they perceived as missed opportunities for support that may have forestalled onset of their CSA perpetration. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 women across three jurisdictions in Australia who had been sentenced for CSA offenses. Two themes were identified from the inductive analysis: (1) desire for early intervention supports and (2) multi-level barriers to accessing support. Although a range of supports were desired spanning various developmental life-stages, personal, relationship, and system-level factors impacted accessibility to services. Three implications were identified from our findings: (1) further research could explore ways to enhance service accessibility, not just availability, ensuring those at-risk of offending are aware of - and can access - various services; (2) a gender-responsive lens in the prevention of female-perpetrated CSA could be adopted; and (3) prevention efforts could utilize a developmental life-course perspective. Such prevention needs to be practical and direct. Limitations and ideas for future research are discussed.
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