The Victimization of Juvenile Prostitutes in Ethiopia

This paper quantifies the victimisation experienced by 30 juvenile prostitutes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Seventy three per cent had been raped at least once and ninety three per cent had been beaten in the course of their work. Only 50% used contraception, resulting in a pregnancy rate of 37%. Findings indicate that prostitution is a highly victimogenic lifestyle, fostered by conditions of extreme deprivation. Policy and practice implications are discussed

The End of Innocence: Child Sexual Abuse in Ireland

The past decade (1990s) in Ireland has witnessed numerous high profile child abuse scandals, some involving members of the clergy and others occurring in institutions for children in care. A problem that was once seldom or never discussed is now very much in the public arena. The End of Innocence describes the background to the scandals uncovered during the 1990s and the reactions to them, and then provides a thorough understanding of all the issues surrounding child sexual abuse. Leading practitioners discuss the legal and policy issues involved, as well as the therapy available for both victims and perpetrators of child sexual abuse. The book concludes that Irish society’s “innocence” may be gone but there is now an opportunity to ensure that children will be better protected and treated in the future. As Owen Keenan states in the concluding chapter “It is not optimism that will make the difference. Rather it is passion, commitment and dedication. Many of the basic requirements are now in place and there has never been a better opportunity in the history of the State. So one is bound to ask, if not now, when?

Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse, Links to Subsequent Sexual Exploitation and Prevention/Treatment Programmes: a Literature Review

Evidence that the sexual abuse of children is universally widespread, and is most frequently perpetrated by family members, neighbours and others known to the child or adolescent is indisputable. Studies have consistently found that victims are vulnerable to subsequent sexual revictimization in adolescence and adulthood. They are also more likely than non-victims to engage in potentially harmful and damaging high-risk sexual behaviours, such as early age at first intercourse, multiple partners, low contraception use and prostitution. Ecological models, which incorporate explanations at the individual, family, community and societal level help explain this link. Interventions in the area of prevention of child sexual abuse have not kept pace with international policy guidelines. Preliminary attempts at mass media campaigns and school-based prevention programmes have shown some improvements in the increase of knowledge and, to a more limited degree, the acquisition of skills. As yet, there is no evidence that such interventions have prevented sexual abuse from occurring in the first place. However, broad-based prevention programmes aimed at preventing child maltreatment in general (as opposed to child sexual abuse in particular) may have something to offer in informing child sexual abuse prevention programmes. There is considerable evidence to support the use of various therapeutic modalities in intervening with children and families following the experience of child sexual abuse. However, researchers have identified significant methodological limitations in the extant research literature that impede the making of recommendations for implementing existing therapeutic programmes unreservedly

Child abuse in Europe

This chapter gives an overview of child abuse in Europe including definitions, prevalence, intervention & legal responses. . We outline the key contemporary issues, drawing in particular on the Council of Europe’s strategy for the promotion of children’s’ rights and the protection of children from violence, Building a Europe for and with Children (2012 – 2015)

Child Sexual Abuse, Links to Later Sexual Exploitation/High-Risk Sexual Behavior, and Prevention/Treatment Programs

This paper reviews the literature on the nature and incidence of child sexual abuse, explores the link between child sexual abuse and later sexual exploitation, and reviews the literature on prevention strategies and effective interventions in child sexual abuse services. Our understanding of the international epidemiology of child sexual abuse is considerably greater than it was just 10 years ago, and studies from around the world are examined. Childhood sexual abuse can involve a wide number of psychological sequelae, including low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Numerous studies have noted that child sexual abuse victims are vulnerable to later sexual revictimization, as well as the link between child sexual abuse and later engagement in high-risk sexual behaviour. Survivors of child sexual abuse are more likely to have multiple sex partners, become pregnant as teenagers, and experience sexual assault as adults. Various models which attempt to account for this inter-relationship are presented; most invoke mediating variables such as low self-esteem, drug/alcohol use, PTSD and distorted sexual development. Prevention strategies for child sexual abuse are examined including media campaigns, schoolbased prevention programmes, and therapy with abusers. The results of a number of meta-analyses are examined. However, researchers have identified significant methodological limitations in the extant research literature that impede the making of recommendations for implementing existing therapeutic programmes unreservedly