Sex Education and the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

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Abstract
The current focus on what children can do to prevent child sexual abuse overlooks the power of the offender in determining whether abuse takes place. At the present there is enough known about the offender to begin designing and implementing programs to prevent the development of sexually abusive behaviors in the first place. This paper summarizes information about the offender and outlines the components of a prevention program, including universal sex education, the development of self-esteem, and a clear understanding of what constitutes exploitative behavior. The prevention of child sexual abuse will entail wide-spread social change, and require the cooperation of many individuals from many walks of life: parents, educators, researchers, clinicians, school board members, and legislators.

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