Journal Of Child Sexual Abuse[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Sexual Grooming in the Menendez Brothers.
Brodar Kaplja S
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Nov · PMID 41273250 · Publisher ↗
Child sexual abuse is common within the family context but often underreported, especially in same-sex incestuous cases. The delay in disclosure is in part due to the sexual grooming strategies, which have been explored...
Child sexual abuse is common within the family context but often underreported, especially in same-sex incestuous cases. The delay in disclosure is in part due to the sexual grooming strategies, which have been explored in many studies. However, sexual grooming is difficult to identify in the context of intra-familial sexual abuse, and its effects on victims need to be thoroughly researched. This study utilized the content-validated Sexual Grooming Model as a framework to identify sexual grooming behaviors in the case of the Menendez brothers, whom their father sexually abused. Data was obtained from their testimonies at the first trial in 1993, which is publicly available. Results showed evidence of sexual grooming, with most endorsed strategies to desensitize the victims and maintain the abuse. An important finding was that the mother, who was also the victim of her husband, facilitated sexual abuse by maintaining secrecy and enabling access to her children. The study highlights the diversity of sexual abuse victims and the need for society and professionals to be aware of the grooming processes, which are harder to identify within the family. Further research areas and implications are discussed.
Professional Perspectives on the Irish Response to Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: A Qualitative Analysis.
Hamilton K, Brennan M
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Nov · PMID 41216724 · Publisher ↗
Child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) poses risks to the wellbeing of survivors, families, and society. The purpose of this exploratory research was to identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities of the Irish respo...
Child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) poses risks to the wellbeing of survivors, families, and society. The purpose of this exploratory research was to identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities of the Irish response to CSAE based on perceptions of professionals involved. The sample ( = 10) consisted of professionals from various fields, representing legal, social work, practitioners, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) relating to CSAE prevention or intervention work. Qualitative data was collected via one-to-one structured interviews. Data was thematically analyzed. Four main themes arose: (1) ease of access; describing accessibility to problematic material, perpetrators' access to children, and access of big tech to children. (2) Awareness; detailing parental awareness of CSAE, awareness of the prevalence of children with harmful sexual behaviors (HSB), as well as education on CSAE. (3) Resources; referring to pressure on NGO's and charities to combatting CSAE, funding required, a lack of policy and regulations to protect children, and availability of accessible services to victims and families. (4) Victim-focused; acknowledged by a need for holistic prevention, a more equitable justice system, and advocacy for victims' independent needs and ongoing respectful care. The results highlight the ongoing and accelerating use of technology in CSAE perpetration, calls for greater awareness and resources by professionals combatting CSAE, and the need to consider holistic preventative strategies, as well as individualized care for survivors. These insights have implications for practitioners and policy makers concerned with strategies of CSAE prevention and intervention.
From Vulnerability to Resilience: The Process of Becoming a Mother for Women Victims of Early Childhood Sexual Abuse.
Guillaume P, Martin E, Szymanska M … +2 more , Chauvet-Gelinier JC, Chahraoui K
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Nov · PMID 41190660 · Publisher ↗
For women who experienced sexual abuse during childhood, motherhood represents a period of heightened psychological vulnerability, often reactivating past trauma and influencing the development of the maternal bond. This...
For women who experienced sexual abuse during childhood, motherhood represents a period of heightened psychological vulnerability, often reactivating past trauma and influencing the development of the maternal bond. This qualitative study, grounded in an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, explores the experiences of ten women involved in judicial proceedings who had been victims of early sexual abuse. Drawing on their life narratives, the analysis highlights the specific psychological effects of parenthood within trajectories shaped by trauma. Pregnancy, childbirth, and the early stages of motherhood are perceived as critical periods, often marked by fears of trauma recurrence, loss of control, and unconscious projections onto the child. These projections, frequently linked to the child's gender, may evoke symbolic identifications with either the aggressor or the victim, rendering the initial bonding process particularly complex. The mother - child relationship is often strained by a tension between overprotection, mistrust, and uncertainty regarding maternal competence. However, for some participants, this period of crisis also contained transformative potential. For several women, motherhood became a pivotal moment that led to the disclosure of past abuse, the initiation of psychological work, and the beginning of a reconstruction process. The desire to protect their child served as a powerful catalyst for change. These findings highlight the importance of clinical support attuned to the traumatic and identity-related dimensions of motherhood in order to foster mentalization processes and prevent the intergenerational transmission of trauma.
Questionable 'Good Faith' Reporting: A Study of Web-Based Abuse Reporting in the Canadian Catholic Church.
Driscoll C, Chigumba CC
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Oct · PMID 41085338 · Publisher ↗
The Roman Catholic Church provides a fruitful contextual basis for assessing good faith reporting of child sexual abuse. Drawing on the literature of organizational decoupling and organizational misconduct reporting, con...
The Roman Catholic Church provides a fruitful contextual basis for assessing good faith reporting of child sexual abuse. Drawing on the literature of organizational decoupling and organizational misconduct reporting, content analysis of recently implemented web-based reporting mechanisms and safeguarding policies of 30 Catholic dioceses across Canada was used to study misconduct and abuse reporting practices in this institution. Our findings provide evidence of gaps and inconsistencies with regard to accessibility and visibility in reporting mechanisms and corresponding communications on diocesan websites. Most dioceses seem to continue to prioritize internal reporting to church officials over reporting to civil authorities. Discourse analysis reveals that in some cases reporting practices appear to be decoupled from RCC policy and values. We conclude with a discussion and implications for research and practice.
Examining Correlates of Child Abuse with Adult Attachment and Sexual Satisfaction Among Adults.
Azam A, Brown CC, Weiser DA … +5 more , Soloski KL, Smith DB, Smalley N, Swecker K, Gomes A
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Oct · PMID 41074383 · Publisher ↗
Millions of children around the globe experience abuse every year, with over a thousand children dying within the United States in 2020 alone as a result of child abuse. Child abuse can take different shapes, such as phy...
Millions of children around the globe experience abuse every year, with over a thousand children dying within the United States in 2020 alone as a result of child abuse. Child abuse can take different shapes, such as physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, all of which can leave a lasting impact on the victim which can alter their childhood as well as their adulthood. Two aspects of adulthood that can be impacted by childhood abuse that are addressed within this article are attachment style and sexual satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse, adult attachment, and adult sexual satisfaction. This study has accomplished this by using a mediating model with adult attachment as the mediator in a sample of 30,507 partnered adults from a cohort study. Results from the mediation analysis illustrated significant, albeit modest in size, negative links between childhood physical abuse and adult sexual satisfaction through levels of adult attachment insecurity. These results are important as they encourage clinicians to consider the indirect impact events can have on individuals, the importance of considering contextual factors, and thinking systemically when examining the connection between events and concerns our clients present us with. Analyzing and understanding these dynamics can allow clinicians to better support their clients when addressing the impacts of child abuse, insecure adult attachment, and sexual dissatisfaction in adulthood.
The Indirect Effect of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Depression, Mediated by Sexual Shame and Shame-Proneness, Conditional on God Image.
Ballard-Booth M, Goodrich J, Murch H … +1 more , Volk F
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Oct · PMID 41052471 · Publisher ↗
Considering the damaging effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on survivors' mental health, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of shame-proneness and sexual shame in the long-term psychological effec...
Considering the damaging effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on survivors' mental health, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of shame-proneness and sexual shame in the long-term psychological effects of CSA. Shame has been implicated as a post-trauma response and key factor in long-term outcomes. As CSA is sexual in nature, this study examined the pathways from CSA to depression via both shame-proneness and sexual shame, as well as the moderating role of view of God. Cross-sectional data was collected through online surveys from adults who reported believing in God ( = 1055). Analyses consisted of a parallel mediation model and a series of moderated mediation models. Findings supported significant indirect effects of CSA on depression through separate pathways of sexual shame and shame-proneness, which explained 62.8% of the variance in depression. Surprisingly, for believers, perceiving God as loving strengthened the effect of CSA on sexual shame, which subsequently corresponded to increases in depression. These findings have critical implications for working with CSA survivors, denoting the relevance of both shame-proneness and sexual shame as key pathways to psychopathology, which may be exacerbated by certain views of God.
Mexican Mothers Before Child Sexual Abuse: Knowledge, Skills, and Needs for Prevention.
González-Hernández D, Treviño-Siller S, Séris-Martínez M … +2 more , Jiménez Tapia JA, Rivera-Rivera L
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Oct · PMID 40984039 · Publisher ↗
Various studies have concluded that parents are the main social actors in protecting children from sexual abuse. The purpose of this study was to explore mothers' knowledge about child sexual abuse (CSA), as well as thei...
Various studies have concluded that parents are the main social actors in protecting children from sexual abuse. The purpose of this study was to explore mothers' knowledge about child sexual abuse (CSA), as well as their skills, and their main needs to identify and prevent it. We conducted an explorative qualitative study. We collected the data using semi-structured interviews with 16 mothers from elementary schools in two states in Mexico. The main results indicate that mothers knew what CSA is, as well as its causes and consequences, but require more training and support in order to identify and prevent it effectively. Most of the participants acknowledged the difficulty they have in discussing sexuality issues with their children and would not know how to proceed in case of CSA, nevertheless they are interested in receiving information because they believe their children could be at risk.
The Role of Instagram in Disclosures of Campus Sexual Violence.
Driessen MC
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Sep · PMID 40960526 · Publisher ↗
This qualitative research study explored social media, particularly Instagram, as a platform for disclosures of sexual violence among college students. Given the stigma and victim-blame often associated with formal discl...
This qualitative research study explored social media, particularly Instagram, as a platform for disclosures of sexual violence among college students. Given the stigma and victim-blame often associated with formal disclosures, anonymous social media platforms can offer survivors a unique space to share their stories, build community, and engage in activism. This research seeks to contribute to the ongoing scholarship about the role of digital platforms in supporting survivors. The study analyzed 232 posts from an Instagram profile dedicated to survivors of campus sexual violence, collected between May 2020 and June 2023. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis. Themes that emerged showed the importance of an anonymous and public space for disclosure, reflections of sexual violence within the specific context of campus environments, and dynamics of consent. Understanding the role of social media within the context of student disclosures of sexual violence has the potential to enhance the existing knowledge of student experiences, which, in turn, can inform how campuses respond to sexual violence, including the tailoring of prevention, intervention, and policy efforts focused on supporting students after trauma, along with resources for mental health clinicians.
Association Between Child Marriage and Intimate Partner Violence: A Kenyan National Analysis.
Verma S
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Oct · PMID 40867106 · Publisher ↗
Child marriage and intimate partner violence (IPV) are global health crises that violate individual human rights. Prior research has linked child marriage to IPV in lower-and-middle-income countries; however, information...
Child marriage and intimate partner violence (IPV) are global health crises that violate individual human rights. Prior research has linked child marriage to IPV in lower-and-middle-income countries; however, information regarding this relationship in Kenya is sparse. The present study aims to (a) estimate the prevalence of child marriage and various forms of IPV (emotional, physical, and sexual) and (b) examine the association between child marriage and IPV among Kenyan women. This study utilized the most recent 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), a large scale and nationally representative dataset. A total of 12,888 participants (M = 32.35 years; SD = 7.96) were included in the final analysis. The prevalence rates of child marriage and experiencing at least one form of IPV, emotional, physical, and sexual IPV, were found to be 31.23%, 44.8%, 34.5%, 32.6%, and 10.1%, respectively. Multinomial regression models revealed that the likelihood of experiencing at least one form of IPV was 25% higher (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.16-1.36, < .01), emotional IPV was 19% higher (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.09-1.29, < .01), and physical IPV was 31% higher (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.21-1.43, < .01) among Kenyan women who married before the age of 18 years. Findings highlight the need for effective policy enforcement and implementation to prevent child marriage and safeguard women from IPV within child marriages.
Assessing the Concealed: A Nomenclature for Technology-Facilitated Youth Sexual Abusers.
Miccio-Fonseca LC
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Oct · PMID 40826806 · Publisher ↗
This commentary presents a framework guided by contemporary research for the new area of the field of sexual abuse: technology-facilitated youth sexual abusers (TFYSA), extrapolated from studies one representative valida...
This commentary presents a framework guided by contemporary research for the new area of the field of sexual abuse: technology-facilitated youth sexual abusers (TFYSA), extrapolated from studies one representative validation and cross-validation samples (totaling 3,901 youth). The samples were employed in validating a risk assessment tool for youth (adjudicated and non-adjudicated) who engage in persistent coarse sexual improprieties and/or sexually abusive behaviors. The artifacts for the nomenclature for TFYSA were also extrapolated by victims' reports from several sources providing information and descriptive variables of the perpetrators of their trauma. Thus, the combined information on sexual development of youth from the Zeitgeist era, the validation study samples in a risk assessment study, coupled with the information provided by victims who suffered sexual trauma (i.e. direct contact and online), are the primary source data to create the nomenclature for TFYSA.
Sexual Victimization Across the Lifespan.
Littleton H, Orchowski LM
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 · PMID 40817741 · Publisher ↗
This special issue, edited by the co-editors of the (JAMT) and the (JCSA) is designed to promote JCSA's expanded scope to include sexual victimization across the lifespan. The 12 articles included in this special issue...
This special issue, edited by the co-editors of the (JAMT) and the (JCSA) is designed to promote JCSA's expanded scope to include sexual victimization across the lifespan. The 12 articles included in this special issue are in three main areas reflective of this expanded scope of the Journal. The first of these is understanding the significant and persisting negative impacts of childhood sexual abuse into adulthood. The second is understanding the prevalence and impact of different forms of sexual victimization among members of historically understudied groups. The final is on the development of assessment instruments and programs to prevent sexual violence and reduce its impacts. It is hoped that this expanded scope of JCSA on sexual victimization across the lifespan will foster future scholarship that seeks to understand, prevent, and respond to sexual violence in its various forms, as well as greater collaboration among scientists, practitioners, advocates, and policy makers to prevent, respond to, and ultimately eradicate sexual violence.
"It Could Be Anybody" Content Analysis of Lay Perceptions of Individuals Committing Online Child Sexual Offences.
Christiansen LF, Langvik E, Størdal TR … +1 more , Iversen A
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 May · PMID 40791121 · Publisher ↗
The aim of this study was to explore lay person perceptions of individuals who commit online child sexual offenses. Online sexual abuse of children encompasses a wide range of offenses. Shame due to stigma and fear of co...
The aim of this study was to explore lay person perceptions of individuals who commit online child sexual offenses. Online sexual abuse of children encompasses a wide range of offenses. Shame due to stigma and fear of consequences are significant barriers to help-seeking among individuals who commit online child sexual abuse. Lay perceptions of individuals committing online child sexual offenses were explored through an online survey in Norway. Responses ( = 573) to a question asking the respondents to describe the typical online child sexual offender were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis resulting in four categories. The largest category, "The average Joe" represents a view that it could be anybody. The other categories substantiate more stereotypical perceptions: social marginalization, mental health issues, and antisocial personality. Results indicate that the lay perceptions of individuals who commit online child sexual offenses convey perceptual complexity in line with empirical findings and that media portrayal may contribute to nuancing perceptions. Knowledge of these perceptions may facilitate the development of interventions aiming at reducing stereotyping that hinders effective treatment.
The Scope of Religious Related Child Sexual Abuse in Spain: A Prevalence Study.
Pereda N, Tamarit JM, Suárez-Soto E
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Oct · PMID 40739784 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Research on the prevalence of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church has been limited in Europe. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of religious-rel...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Research on the prevalence of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church has been limited in Europe. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of religious-related sexual abuse in a broad sample of the Spanish population, placing it within the broader context of sexual violence against children and adolescents. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Among the survey respondents, 52.3% were women ( = 4,188) and 47.7% were men ( = 3,825). Participants ranged in age from 18 to 100 years ( = 51.5, = 17.6), with the majority ( = 7,154; 89.5%) born in Spain. RESULTS: The results indicated that 11.7% of respondents were victims of child sexual abuse, with a higher prevalence among women (8.6%) compared to men (3.1%). A total of 1.1% of respondents reported having experienced religious-related sexual abuse, primarily in religious educational institutions or churches, with 0.6% identifying a Catholic clergyman as the perpetrator. The majority of ecclesiastical abuse involved physical contact, and in many cases, the abuse was recurrent. Victims of religious-related abuse reported more significant spiritual consequences compared to those abused in other contexts. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight patterns of sexual abuse similar to those observed in other countries, with a notable prevalence of abuse in male Catholic schools during the Franco dictatorship era.
Understanding the Psychological Profile of Children and Youth Engaging in Sexual Contact with non-Human Animals: A Scoping Review.
Zidenberg AM, Iqbal S, Neable L … +3 more , Schwier M, Lee A, Ng N
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Jul · PMID 40671413 · Publisher ↗
It is developmentally normal for children to display some sexual behaviors but concerning sexual behaviors (CSBs) that deviate from societal norms are potentially harmful. The development of CSBs is influenced by various...
It is developmentally normal for children to display some sexual behaviors but concerning sexual behaviors (CSBs) that deviate from societal norms are potentially harmful. The development of CSBs is influenced by various factors, including family dynamics, parental stressors, and disruptions in psychosexual development. Historically, sexual abuse was seen as the primary cause of CSBs, but current research suggests that nonsexual abuse and family environment also play significant roles. This scoping review synthesized literature on the psychological characteristics of children and youth who engage in sexual contact with animals, providing guidance for practitioners. The 17 studies reviewed, primarily from the U.S. documented a range of sexual behaviors toward animals by youth. These youths were often linked to troubled backgrounds and mental health issues, though some cases showed no significant psychological problems. The findings underscore the need for thorough psychological assessment to determine if these behaviors are isolated incidents or part of a broader pattern requiring intervention. This study highlights the lack of research in this area and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, emphasizing that these behaviors are often associated with mental health issues and family instability, making early intervention crucial.
Psychosocial Correlates of PTSD and Problem Drinking in Sexual Assault Survivors and Their Informal Supports.
Ullman SE, O'Callaghan E, Bailey C … +1 more , Harris C
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 May · PMID 40635318 · Full text
The current study examined predictors PTSD and problem drinking using survey data ( = 432 matched pairs) from sexual assault survivors and informal support providers (SPs, e.g. family, friend, partner) to whom they discl...
The current study examined predictors PTSD and problem drinking using survey data ( = 432 matched pairs) from sexual assault survivors and informal support providers (SPs, e.g. family, friend, partner) to whom they disclosed. Perceptions of helpfulness, relationship satisfaction, social reactions to disclosure of sexual assault, coping strategies, and child sexual abuse (CSA) severity were examined in separate survivor and SP regression models. In the survivor model, White-identified and less educated survivors had more PTSD symptoms than those of other races and with more education, respectively. Greater avoidance coping, perceived SP empathy, and unsupportive acknowledgment (UA) reactions were all related to more PTSD symptoms for survivors. In the SP model, those identifying as White reported more PTSD symptoms than those of other races. SPs reporting greater use of approach and avoidance coping, and more ineffective and empathetic support, reported more PTSD symptoms. Those SPs identifying as men and those with higher educational attainment had fewer PTSD symptoms. SPs reporting more positive social reactions to survivors' disclosure also had fewer PTSD symptoms. For survivors, greater avoidance coping, more PTSD symptoms, and receiving more positive reactions from the SP were each related to increased survivor problem drinking. For SPs, greater relationship satisfaction with the survivor and greater UA social reactions made to survivors were each related to less SP problem drinking. In addition, SPs reporting greater CSA severity, more PTSD symptoms, more avoidance coping, and more perceived empathy and positive social reactions to survivors were each related to increased SP problem drinking.
Grooming Victimization and Psychological Distress While Incarcerated: A Comparison of Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Youth.
McMahon KM, Humphrey B, Anderson W
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 May · PMID 40539527 · Publisher ↗
This study examines the correlations between grooming behaviors within juvenile correctional facilities and their impact on psychological distress among incarcerated youth, including a comparison between sexual minority...
This study examines the correlations between grooming behaviors within juvenile correctional facilities and their impact on psychological distress among incarcerated youth, including a comparison between sexual minority ( = 648) and heterosexual ( = 4,690) subsamples. Using the National Survey of Youth in Custody-3 (BJS, 2018), the analysis finds that various grooming behaviors - including receiving photos or letters from staff, staff sharing personal details, staff providing contraband, staff giving gifts, staff offering special protection, staff inappropriately discussing sex topics, and youth giving letters or photos to staff - are significantly correlated with varying levels of distress. Further, receiving a special gift from a staff member and being offered special protection from staff both had significantly greater effects on the correlation with distress for the heterosexual subsample; however, staff sharing emotional feelings and juveniles giving photos or letters to staff had significantly greater impacts on the correlation with distress for the sexual minority subsample.
Sex-Dependent Effects of Genotypes on the Relations Between Childhood Sexual Abuse, Aggression, and Cannabis Use in Emerging Adults.
Fite PJ, Ryder AL, Baca S … +4 more , Hossain WA, Manzardo A, Butler MG, Bortolato M
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 May · PMID 40534101 · Full text
Cannabis use and aggression share common vulnerability factors, including childhood sexual abuse. While genetic predispositions likely shape the association between aggression and cannabis use, specific genes have not be...
Cannabis use and aggression share common vulnerability factors, including childhood sexual abuse. While genetic predispositions likely shape the association between aggression and cannabis use, specific genes have not been conclusively identified. The underlying causal pathways connecting childhood sexual abuse to both cannabis use and aggression remain poorly understood. Prior research suggests that the (Monoamine oxidase A) gene interacts with childhood maltreatment to predispose young adults to aggression and substance use. Building on this premise, a preexisting dataset of 498 emerging adults was utilized to investigate whether different genotypes interact with sexual abuse during childhood to predispose to cannabis use as a means of coping with negative affect and impact aggression levels. Participants underwent genotyping for alleles associated with either low () or high () enzyme activity. They were also surveyed for childhood sex abuse, reactive and proactive aggression, and cannabis use. Among male carriers of variants who described experiencing childhood sexual abuse, those who used cannabis reported a higher likelihood of doing so for coping purposes compared to other males and all females. Surprisingly, genotypes in males appeared to buffer the impact of sexual abuse and high cannabis consumption on various measures of aggression. These findings underscore the complex role of in moderating the relationship between trauma, substance use, and aggression. If validated by further studies, these results could inform the development of targeted pharmacological and behavioral treatments for individuals with trauma histories and genetic predispositions to aggression.
Rates, Risk Factors, and Consequences of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence in the U.S. Adult Population: A Survey Study.
Sorochinski M, Wall AK
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 May · PMID 40528375 · Publisher ↗
Amid growing concerns over technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV), this study surveyed 943 adults across the United States to investigate its prevalence, demographic risk factors, and emotional consequences. The r...
Amid growing concerns over technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV), this study surveyed 943 adults across the United States to investigate its prevalence, demographic risk factors, and emotional consequences. The results reveal an overall victimization rate of 67.9%, with no significant difference between men and women. However, disparities were evident across marginalized groups: LGBQ individuals reported significantly higher rates (84.5%), and Latino/Hispanic respondents experienced elevated victimization compared to other racial/ethnic groups. A substantial portion of TFSV was committed by current or former intimate partners, and many victims reported the experience as emotionally upsetting or traumatic. Importantly, the study identified a correlation between victimization and later perpetration, pointing to a potential cycle of harm. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies, culturally responsive legal protections, and accessible victim support services. The research also highlights the importance of expanding studies to include diverse populations and to evaluate digital safety interventions.
More Bitter Than Sweet: The Dark Side of Nostalgia for Life Prior to Sexual Assault.
St-Jean R, Wohl MJA, Davis CG
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Apr · PMID 40522324 · Publisher ↗
We explored whether nostalgia (i.e. sentimental longing) for life lived prior to sexual assault (SA) is associated with better or worse well-being. In Study 1 ( = 237; = 134), a one-month prospective study, nostalgia wa...
We explored whether nostalgia (i.e. sentimental longing) for life lived prior to sexual assault (SA) is associated with better or worse well-being. In Study 1 ( = 237; = 134), a one-month prospective study, nostalgia was negatively associated with well-being at both timepoints (i.e. more PTSD symptoms and negative affect; less self-compassion, positive affect, and acceptance). These results held when controlling for searching and finding meaning in the SA. Additionally, decreased nostalgia over time predicted (reduced) PTSD symptoms. In Study 2 ( 196; = 96, = 100), participants manipulated to feel continuous with their pre-trauma self (compared to a control condition) reported less nostalgia and negative affect, and more positive affect, self-compassion, and acceptance compared to those in the control condition. Nostalgia mediated the relation between condition and measures of well-being. Results suggest that nostalgia's effect on well-being may depend on what people are nostalgic about.
The Digital Dimension: Victim's Experiences of Technology's Impact on Penetrative Child Sexual Abuse.
Chauviré-Geib K, Gerke J, Fegert JM … +1 more , Rassenhofer M
J Child Sex Abus · 2025 Apr · PMID 40293357 · Publisher ↗
Research comparing penetrative technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TA-CSA) and penetrative child sexual abuse (CSA) is limited. Existing studies indicate similarities among victims and the consequences of their abuse...
Research comparing penetrative technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TA-CSA) and penetrative child sexual abuse (CSA) is limited. Existing studies indicate similarities among victims and the consequences of their abuse. This study investigates the experiences of victims of penetrative TA-CSA and penetrative CSA, examining their sociodemographic characteristics, the nature of the abuse, and mental health and psychosocial consequences. Data was derived from the German Sexual Abuse Telephone Helpline between 2020 and 2023, with information gathered anonymously during calls with the caller's consent. The sample consisted of = 302 callers reporting experiences of penetrative CSA or penetrative TA-CSA. Exact Chi-Square tests and Mann-Whitney-U tests were used to compare both groups in terms of demographics, characteristics of the abuse, and reported consequences. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the relationship between consequences and technology use. Results show that penetrative TA-CSA is objectively associated with more severe abuse circumstances, including multiple perpetrators, higher frequency of abuse, and earlier age of onset. The latter contributed to the specific consequences being reported by victims. No differences in terms of gender, living environment, or education were found between both groups. While the involvement of technology in penetrative abuse is related to its severity, it does not directly affect reported consequences. Future research should further examine the nuanced impact of technology use.
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