Abstract
While there is considerable public concern over stranger-perpetrated child sexual abuse (CSA) and abduction, much of the professional debate over this subject is characterised by quite polarised views and a dearth of reliable research-based knowledge. In order to start addressing this situation, a major questionnaire survey was carried out among almost 2,500 children aged 9-16 years in 26 primary and secondary schools in four types of area in north-west England. Approximately seven per cent of children reported an attempted or completed incident. In terms of its broader messages, the research suggests that we should adopt a more balanced approach in our assessments of the seriousness of stranger CSA and abduction. The research highlights practice issues for child safety educators, the police and therapists and counsellors, relating to prevention, disclosure, reporting and re-victimisation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 22-25 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Safer Communities |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2008 |
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Fear of the unknown. / Gallagher, Bernard.
In: Safer Communities, Vol. 7, No. 3, 01.07.2008, p. 22-25.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Fear of the unknown
AU - Gallagher, Bernard
PY - 2008/7/1
Y1 - 2008/7/1
N2 - While there is considerable public concern over stranger-perpetrated child sexual abuse (CSA) and abduction, much of the professional debate over this subject is characterised by quite polarised views and a dearth of reliable research-based knowledge. In order to start addressing this situation, a major questionnaire survey was carried out among almost 2,500 children aged 9-16 years in 26 primary and secondary schools in four types of area in north-west England. Approximately seven per cent of children reported an attempted or completed incident. In terms of its broader messages, the research suggests that we should adopt a more balanced approach in our assessments of the seriousness of stranger CSA and abduction. The research highlights practice issues for child safety educators, the police and therapists and counsellors, relating to prevention, disclosure, reporting and re-victimisation.
AB - While there is considerable public concern over stranger-perpetrated child sexual abuse (CSA) and abduction, much of the professional debate over this subject is characterised by quite polarised views and a dearth of reliable research-based knowledge. In order to start addressing this situation, a major questionnaire survey was carried out among almost 2,500 children aged 9-16 years in 26 primary and secondary schools in four types of area in north-west England. Approximately seven per cent of children reported an attempted or completed incident. In terms of its broader messages, the research suggests that we should adopt a more balanced approach in our assessments of the seriousness of stranger CSA and abduction. The research highlights practice issues for child safety educators, the police and therapists and counsellors, relating to prevention, disclosure, reporting and re-victimisation.
KW - Abduction
KW - Child safety
KW - Child sexual abuse
KW - Survey
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84993025145&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/17578043200800026
DO - 10.1108/17578043200800026
M3 - Review article
VL - 7
SP - 22
EP - 25
JO - Safer Communities
JF - Safer Communities
SN - 1757-8043
IS - 3
ER -