Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies for Population-Level Change: Challenges and Future Directions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Re-Visioning Public Health Approaches for Protecting Children

Part of the book series: Child Maltreatment ((MALT,volume 9))

Abstract

This chapter describes the current challenges facing public heath approach in preventing child sexual abuse. It specifically considers what primary prevention involves within such a framework and the empirical and theoretical challenges that child sexual abuse presents to prevention efforts. It then outlines what, in keeping with a public health approach, may be the ways forward to address these issues.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. 1.

    See for example evaluations and resources available through OurWatch: https://www.ourwatch.org.au/Media-Resources; VicHealth: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/our-work/preventing-violence-against-women, and Partners in Prevention Community Practice Network for prevention workers: http://www.partnersinprevention.org.au.

  2. 2.

    The following paragraph draws from a conceptual mapping of the social, legal, cultural and institutional trends that influenced responses to child sexual abuse in institutions 1950–2014 (see Quadara 2017).

  3. 3.

    Acknowledging the challenge of drawing a line from addressing key determinants of violence against women to interim measures, to outcome measures, the national organization leading developments in preventing violence against women developed a guide for policy-makers, researchers, and other stakeholders on measuring population-level progress. This guide can be found at: https://www.ourwatch.org.au/What-We-Do/Counting-on-change-A-guide-to-prevention-monitorin

  4. 4.

    For example, incarcerated males comprise only the known and currently apprehended child sexual abusers and are more likely to be from a low socio-economic status, whereas unapprehended child sexual abuse perpetrators are perhaps more likely to be from a more solid financial background (Briere and Spinazzola 2009; Schaefer et al. 2010).

  5. 5.

    Note that in their review, Klevens and Whitaker (2007) did not include the prevention specifically of child sexualabuse.

  6. 6.

    Key examples include respectful relationships education with children and young people in K-12 settings to teach skills in recognising and challenging gender stereotypes and in building respectful relationships (Ollis and Dyson 2017; Flood et al. 2009); prevention education programs with male-oriented sports such as Respect and Responsibility with Australian Football League (AFL clubs) (Dyson and Flood 2008); workplace prevention programs and initiatives to improve media representation of violence against women. More information about the designed to address the key determinants of violence against women can be found on the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation website: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search?category=Preventing%20violence%20against%20women; and the OurWatch website: https://www.ourwatch.org.au/What-We-Do

References

  • Abel, G. G., Wiegel, M., Jordan, A., Harlow, N., Hsu, Y. S., & Martinez, M. (2012). Development and validation of classification models to identify hidden child molesters applying to child service organizations. Children and Youth Services Review, 34(7), 1378–1389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Access Economics. (2004). The cost of domestic violence to the Australian economy. Partnership Against Domestic Violence – An Australian Government Initiative.

    Google Scholar 

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006). Personal safety survey Australia, 2005. Canberra: ABS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2013). Personal safety survey 2011. Canberra: ABS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth. (2008). Inverting the pyramid: Enhancing systems for protecting children. Canberra: ARACY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bluett-Boyd, N., Fileborn, B., Quadara, A., & Moore, S. (2013). The role of emerging communication technologies in experiences of sexual violence: A new legal frontier? Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies. Retrieved from: https://aifs.gov.au/publications/role-emerging-communication-technologies-experiences-sexual-violenc

  • Briere, J., & Spinazzola, J. (2009). Assessment of the sequelae of complex trauma: Evidence-based measures. In C. A. Courtois & J. D. Ford (Eds.), Treating complex traumatic stress disorders: An evidence-based guide (pp. 104–123). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bromfield, L., & Holzer, P. J. (2008). A national approach for child protection: Project report. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmody, M. (2009). Conceptualising the prevention of sexual assault though prevention. (ACSSA Issues Paper, Vol. 10). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmody, M., Evans, S., Krogh, C., Flood, M., Heenan, M., & Ovenden, G. (2009). Framing best practice: National Standards for the primary prevention of sexual assault through education. Sydney: Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004). The social-ecological model: A framework for prevention. Washington, DC: CDC. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/overview/social-ecologicalmodel.html.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Child maltreatment: Risk and protective factors. Washington, DC: CDC. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childmaltreatment/riskprotectivefactors.html.

  • Child Family Community Australia. (2017). The prevalence of child abuse and neglect. CFCA Resource Sheet. Retrieved from https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/prevalence-child-abuse-and-neglect

  • Cossins, A. (2010). Alternative models for prosecuting child sex offences in Australia. Sydney: National Child Sexual Assault Reform Committee, University of New South Wales.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of Australian Governments (COAG). (2009). Protecting children is everyone’s business: National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Social Services. Retrieved from www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/families-and-children/publications-articles/protecting-children-is-everyones-business.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craven, S., Brown, S., & Gilchrist, E. (2006). Sexual grooming of children: Review of literature and theoretical considerations. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 12(3), 287–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600601069414.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dudgeon, P., Mallard, J., Oxenham, D., & Fielder, J. (2002). Contemporary Aboriginal perceptions of community. In A. T. Fisher, C. C. Sonn, & B. J. Bishop (Eds.), Psychological sense of community. Research applications, and implications (pp. 247–267). Boston: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudgeon, P., Wright, M., Paradies, Y., Garvey, D., & Walker, I. (2010). The social, cultural and historical context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. In N. Purdie, P. Dudgeon, & R. Walker (Eds.), Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice (pp. 25–42). Canberra: Australian Council for Educational Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyson, S., & Flood, M. (2008). Building cultures of respect and non-violence: A review of literature concerning adult learning and violence prevention programs with men. Melbourne: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. Retrieved from: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-resources/publications/building-cultures-of-respect-and-non-violence

  • Finkelhor, D. (2009). The prevention of childhood sexual abuse. The Future of Children, 19(2), 169–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flood, M., Fergus, L., & Heenan, M. (2009). Respectful relationships education: Violence prevention and respectful relationships education in Victorian secondary schools. Melbourne: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman-Delahunty, J. (2014). Profiling parental child sex abuse (Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice). Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmus, L., Hanson, R. K., Babchishin, K. M., & Mann, R. E. (2013). Attitudes supportive of sexual offending predict recidivism: A meta-analysis. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 14(1), 34–53. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838012462244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. (2011). ISPCAN Denver Thinking Space 2011: Child sexual abuse. An international perspective on responding to child sexual abuse: Executive summary. Retrieved from tinyurl.com/l6dpsm3

  • International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. (2013). ISPCAN Denver Thinking Space 2013: Working with men and boys. A child protection strategy: Report on survey findings. Aurora: ISPCAN. Retrieved from tinyurl.com/kkxnky2

  • Itzin, C. (2000). Child protection and child sexual abuse prevention: Influencing policy and practice. Home truths about child sexual abuse (pp. 405–449). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klevens, J., & Whitaker, D. J. (2007). Primary prevention of child physical abuse and neglect: Gaps and promising directions. Child Maltreatment, 12(4), 364–377. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559507305995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KPMG. (2009). The cost of violence against women and their children, safety taskforce, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Australian Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • KPMG. (2016). The cost of violence against women and their children: Final report. Canberra: Australian Government. Retrieved from https://www.dss.gov.au/women/publications-articles/reducing-violence/the-cost-of-violence-against-women-and-their-children-in-australia-may-2016

  • Letourneau, E. J., Eaton, W. W., Bass, J., Berlin, F. S., & Moore, S. G. (2014). The need for a comprehensive public health approach to preventing child sexual abuse. Public Health Reports, 129(3), 222–228. https://doi.org/10.1177/003335491412900303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marziano, V., Ward, T., Beech, A. R., & Pattison, P. (2006). Identification of five fundamental implicit theories underlying cognitive distortions in child abusers: A preliminary study. Psychology, Crime & Law, 12(1), 97–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/10683160500056887.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCartan, K. (2008). Current understandings of paedophilia and the resulting crisis in modern society. In J. M. Caroll & M. K. Alena (Eds.), Psychological sexual dysfunctions (pp. 51–84). New York: Nova Biomedical.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, J. E., Diedrich, S., Lee, D., McClanahan Fincher, K., & Stern, R. (1999). Professional writing on child sexual abuse from 1900 to 1975: Dominant themes and impact on prosecution. Child Maltreatment, 4(3), 201–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Donnell, M., Scott, D., & Stanley, F. (2008). Child abuse and neglect: Is it time for a public health approach? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 32(4), 325–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olafson, E., Corwin, D. L., & Summit, R. C. (1993). Modern history of child sexual abuse awareness: Cycles of discovery and suppression. Child Abuse & Neglect, 17(1), 7–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ollis, D., & Dyson, S. (2017). Respectful relationships education: A case-study of working in schools. In A. Taket & B. R. Crisp (Eds.), Eliminating gender-based violence (pp. 25–42). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Our Watch. (2016). Change the story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia. Melbourne: Our Watch. Retrieved from https://www.ourwatch.org.au/what-we-do/national-primary-prevention-framework.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quayle, E., & Ribisl, K. (2012). Understanding and preventing online sexual exploitation of children (1st ed.). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quadara, A., Nagy, V., Higgins, D., & Siegel, N. (2015). Conceptualising the prevention of child sexual abuse. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies. Retrieved from https://aifs.gov.au/publications/conceptualising-prevention-child-sexual-abuse

  • Quadara, A. (2017). Framework for historical influences on institutional child sexual abuse: 1950–2014. Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Retrieved from: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/research_report_-_frameworks_for_historical_influences_on_institutional_child_sexual_abuse_-_causes.pdf

  • Rosengard, A., Laing, I., Ridley, J., & Hunter, S. (2007). A literature review on multiple and complex needs. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive Social Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer, G. A., Mundt, I. A., Feelgood, S., Hupp, E., Neutze, J., & Ahlers, C. J. (2010). Potential and Dunkelfeld offenders: Two neglected target groups for prevention of child sexual abuse. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 33, 154–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smallbone, S., Marshall, W., & Wortley, M. (2008). Preventing child sexual abuse: Evidence policy and practice. Cullompton/Devon: Willan Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smart, C. (1999). A history of ambivalence and conflict in the discursive construction of the ‘child victim’ of sexual abuse. Social and Legal Studies, 8(3), 391–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smart, C. (2000). Reconsidering the recent history of child sexual abuse, 1910–1960. Journal of Social Policy, 29(1), 55–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomison, A. M., & Wise, S. (1999). Community-based approaches in preventing child maltreatment (NCPC Issues Paper No. 11). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies. Retrieved from https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/community-based-approaches-preventing-child-maltreatment

  • VicHealth. (2004). Measuring the health costs of violence: Measuring the burden of disease caused by intimate partner violence – A summary of findings. Melbourne: VicHealth.

    Google Scholar 

  • VicHealth. (2007). Preventing violence before it occurs: A framework and background paper to guide the primary prevention of violence against women in Victoria. Melbourne: VicHealth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, T., & Keenan, T. (1999). Child molesters’ implicit theories. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 14(8), 821–838. https://doi.org/10.1177/088626099014008003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, K., Berthelsen, D., Nicholson, J. M., Brandon, L., Stevens, J., & Rachele, J. N. (2013). Child sexual abuse prevention education: A review of school policy and curriculum provision in Australia. Oxford Review of Education, 39(5), 649–680.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, K., & Flood, M. (2015). Framework foundations 1: A review of the evidence on correlates of violence against women and what works to prevent it. Melbourne: Our Watch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitaker, D. J., Le, B., Hanson, K. R., Baker, C. K., McMahon, P. M., & Ryan, G. (2008). Risk factors for the perpetration of child sexual abuse: A review and meta-analysis. Child Abuse & Neglect, 32(5), 529–548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.08.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2014). What are social determinants of health? Retrieved from www.who.int/social_determinants/sdh_definition/en/

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sexual Violence Research, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Southbank, VIC, Australia

    Antonia Quadara

Authors
  1. Antonia Quadara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antonia Quadara .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia

    Bob Lonne

  2. Senior Research Fellow, Monash University, Victoria, VIC, Australia

    Deb Scott

  3. Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Daryl Higgins

  4. Marion Elizabeth Blue Professor of Child and Family, University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Todd I. Herrenkohl

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Quadara, A. (2019). Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies for Population-Level Change: Challenges and Future Directions. In: Lonne, B., Scott, D., Higgins, D., Herrenkohl, T.I. (eds) Re-Visioning Public Health Approaches for Protecting Children. Child Maltreatment, vol 9. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05858-6_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05858-6_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-05857-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-05858-6

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation