Childhood Sexual Abuse

This work is an important new edition of a classic study—one of the few exhaustive examinations of childhood sexual abuse available—with 40 percent new material.

Even though it is as old as human history, child sexual abuse has generally remained a dark and well-hidden secret. Only in the last few decades has it become a topic of open public debate and scientific research, and we still have more questions than answers. How often are accusations of sexual abuse legitimate, and how often are they the result of false memories? Can sexual offenders be cured, or will they ultimately re-offend?

These are only a few of the difficult questions this volume seeks to answer. Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Reference Handbook explores the many ways we define child sexual abuse in the United States and in different parts of the world and how those differences are represented in U.S. and international laws. It summarizes what we know about how to intervene, treat, and prevent childhood sexual abuse effectively and tells the stories of individuals who have had a dramatic effect on the handling of childhood sexual abuse. For students, social workers, teachers, policymakers, parents, and concerned citizens, this work offers a one-stop, multifaceted discussion of one of the major issues facing children and their families.

• A chronology of important events in the history of child sexual abuse covers the various laws and how they've changed over the centuries (from religious laws allowing marriage to minor girls up through the latest laws relating to Internet issues), notable abuse cases, the formation of major anti-abuse organizations, and top scientific studies
• Excerpts from relevant U.S. and international laws and conventions

Karen L. Kinnear is a paralegal and freelance writer. Her published works include several books in ABC-CLIO's Contemporary World Issues series, including Women in the Third World, Single Parents: A Reference Handbook, and the first edition of Childhood Sexual Abuse.