Child sexual abuse (CSA), a social problem of endemic proportions, has existed in all historical eras and societies (Conte 1994; Fergusson and Mullen 1999; Wekerle and Wolfe 1996; Wolfe 1999). Since antiquity, anecdotal records (e.g., legal, artistic, philosophical, and literary accounts) have documented activities that would today be classified as CSA (deMause 1974; Kahr 1991;
The representation of sexual violence has been subject to critical inquiry in two main ways. One strand of research explores whether scenes of sexual violence (in films, computer games, and pornography magazines) might trigger sexual aggression. This sort of research is often pursued under the umbrella of psychology and criminology. A second strand, more often
Risk assessment of sexual offenders is an important topic in forensic psychiatry and psychology. Practitioners are given the responsibility of completing risk assessments of offenders to try to maximize public safety and encourage responsible management, both of which depend on effective intervention and supervision. The basis of the development of the Sexual Violence Risk-20 (SVR-20)
Although legal definitions of sexual offenses vary, the term sexual offending typically denotes offenses whereby an individual engages in unwanted sexual acts with another person who does not give, or is unable to provide, consent. Given the impact such acts have on survivors, sexual offenses receive considerable attention from the media, policy makers, and the
Among the diverse policies used worldwide to manage offenders convicted of sexual crimes in the community, sexual offender registries (SORs) are a common approach. SORs are databases of information pertaining to persons previously convicted of sexual offenses. The intention of SORs is to protect the public primarily by helping law enforcement monitor the whereabouts of
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and other sexual minority young people tend to experience more bullying, violence, and harassment at school than their heterosexual peers. Victimization based on sexual orientation is often exacerbated in the cases of gender-nonconforming and transgendered students, students of color, and rural students. To prevent violence against LGB students in schools
Individuals who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered (GLBT) tend to report that college campuses are less than fully comfortable places and that they are often fearful of harassment and physical violence. Verbal harassment of such students is extremely common, and physical aggression against them also occurs regularly. Students often report having to
The law recognizes two forms of sexual harassment: quid pro quo and hostile environment. Quid pro quo cases (“something for something”) must demonstrate that sexual favors were coerced in exchange for some form of favor such as keeping one’s job, securing a promotion, or getting a raise. Hostile environment cases must demonstrate that unwanted sexual
Sexual violence has long been an issue in American society. According to one study, roughly 1.3 forcible rapes occur each minute in the United States. The socialization of men and women as well as society’s presupposed traditional gender roles play pivotal roles in the sexual violence directed at young girls in high school. This essay
Research has shown that sexual assault on university and college campuses is alarmingly common. Estimates suggest that one in four women who attend a college or university will experience some form of sexual assault in their years of study. While women are most frequently the victims of sexual assault, men also experience various forms of