Prevention Now

Sexual Abuse

Building a New Narrative on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on April 24, 2024

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month reminds us that prevention, healing, and justice all need attention and funding—and that prevention of child sexual abuse is possible.

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month reminds us that prevention, healing, and justice all need attention and funding—and that prevention of child sexual abuse is possible.

Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program Plans Major Expansion

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on February 23, 2024

A helpline and therapy service for adults who are troubled by their sexual interest or behavior involving children is set to expand.

A helpline and therapy service for adults who are troubled by their sexual interest or behavior involving children is set to expand.

Bias

Encountering Hatred in Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Work

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on December 18, 2023

A university researcher writes a content analysis of the hate mail they received in response to their work about preventing child sexual abuse.

A university researcher writes a content analysis of the hate mail they received in response to their work about preventing child sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Baltimore Abuse Revelations Show Urgent Need for Prevention

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on October 12, 2023

A sweeping report on child sexual abuse in the Baltimore Catholic Archdiocese shows that institutions must prioritize prevention. Here’s how they can get started.

A sweeping report on child sexual abuse in the Baltimore Catholic Archdiocese shows that institutions must prioritize prevention. Here’s how they can get started.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

We Need Prevention Science to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on March 8, 2023

A tendency to err on the side of reporting in CSA research has led to a lack of information about how to protect children from sexual abuse, leaving children more vulnerable.

A tendency to err on the side of reporting in CSA research has led to a lack of information about how to protect children from sexual abuse, leaving children more vulnerable.

Sex

Teaching Teens to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on January 18, 2023

Giving teens clear guidance that sexual behaviors with younger children are harmful and illegal can help them avoid behaviors associated with child sexual abuse.

Giving teens clear guidance that sexual behaviors with younger children are harmful and illegal can help them avoid behaviors associated with child sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Put People First When Discussing Child Sexual Abuse

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on October 10, 2022

Why person-first language is critical to discussing child sexual abuse.

Why person-first language is critical to discussing child sexual abuse.

Health

What Medicaid Expansion Can Tell Us About Child Maltreatment

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on September 6, 2022

Can health insurance help protect kids from harm by reducing family violence? New research about Medicaid expansion may help answer this question.

Can health insurance help protect kids from harm by reducing family violence? New research about Medicaid expansion may help answer this question.

Sexual Abuse

Hate Won't Prevent Child Sexual Abuse; Research Will

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on July 6, 2022

3 reasons why academic research dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse is vitally important.

3 reasons why academic research dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse is vitally important.

Sexual Abuse

Child Sex Abuse: We Need Prevention, Not Just Punishment

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on April 4, 2022

Incarcerating adults who commit child sexual abuse costs the U.S. billions per year. Yet for every $3,125 we spend on punishment, we spend just $1 on prevention research.

Incarcerating adults who commit child sexual abuse costs the U.S. billions per year. Yet for every $3,125 we spend on punishment, we spend just $1 on prevention research.

Health

Reframing Child Sex Abuse as a Preventable Public Health Issue

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on February 2, 2022

Child sexual abuse can only be reframed as a preventable public health problem with wider public understanding. A three-step approach can build awareness.

Child sexual abuse can only be reframed as a preventable public health problem with wider public understanding. A three-step approach can build awareness.

Sexual Abuse

Professor’s Research Sparks Firestorm at Virginia College

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on December 17, 2021

Commentary: If we want to prevent child sexual abuse, we need to begin by supporting researchers who engage in this difficult but important work.

Commentary: If we want to prevent child sexual abuse, we need to begin by supporting researchers who engage in this difficult but important work.

Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Receives Major Boost

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on August 5, 2021

A major grant recognizes child sexual abuse as a preventable public health priority.

A major grant recognizes child sexual abuse as a preventable public health priority.

Sexual Abuse

New Principles to Reduce Child Sexual Abuse Risk

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on January 13, 2021

A new report and desk guide could help youth-serving organizations protect children from harm.

A new report and desk guide could help youth-serving organizations protect children from harm.

Sexual Abuse

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse During COVID-19

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on May 22, 2020

When COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were issued, for the first time ever, half of the calls to the National Sexual Assault Hotline were made by children.

When COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were issued, for the first time ever, half of the calls to the National Sexual Assault Hotline were made by children.

Sexual Abuse

A Life Without Violence: Not a Reality for Many Children

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on February 7, 2020

A partnership with Together for Girls, the CDC, and Johns Hopkins Moore Center is beginning to develop effective prevention and interventions on a global scale.

A partnership with Together for Girls, the CDC, and Johns Hopkins Moore Center is beginning to develop effective prevention and interventions on a global scale.

Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse Perpetration Can Be Prevented

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on November 26, 2019

The time has come to enact effective perpetration prevention efforts.

The time has come to enact effective perpetration prevention efforts.

Health

Can Improved Health Care Access Reduce Sexual Violence?

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on January 17, 2019

Might Medicaid expansion be associated with prevention of sexual violence?

Might Medicaid expansion be associated with prevention of sexual violence?

Mating

5 Takeaways from the Treatment of Sexual Abusers Conference

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on November 19, 2018

How might I benefit from attending a conference entitled, "Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers"? You might be surprised.

How might I benefit from attending a conference entitled, "Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers"? You might be surprised.

Sexual Abuse

Can We Prevent Adolescent Sexual Violence?

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD on October 26, 2018

In the wake of recent allegations of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh, it's imperative to focus on characterizing and preventing adolescent sexual violence.

In the wake of recent allegations of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh, it's imperative to focus on characterizing and preventing adolescent sexual violence.