Child Sexual Abuse: Ethics and Evidence
Abstract
Over the last 40 years, child sexual abuse (CSA) has become a regular, if
discomforting, focus of public concern and attention. A constant stream of
news items, investigations and arrests, public inquiries and statements from
politicians and authorities can leave the impression that child sex offending
is being countered by the full opposition of the state and community. This
impression is deceptive. There have been, of course, meaningful advances in
child protection and therapeutic responses to victimised children and adult
survivors, and improvements in public awareness and understanding of CSA.
Nonetheless, the challenges that CSA have always posed to child protection,
health services, law enforcement and society at large – including the prevalence
and secrecy of CSA, the complexities of prosecution and the multiple impacts
on victims – remain with us today. Meanwhile, patterns of sexual offending
against children continue to evolve with the development of new technologies
and strategies for sexual exploitation.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
editorial, child sexual abuse, public awareness
Citation
Salter, M. (2018). Child Sexual Abuse: Ethics and Evidence. Child Abuse Review, 27(3), 165-170.