Post by CDC Foundation

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), at least one in four girls and one in twenty boys across the United States experience such abuse, a figure that likely underestimates the impact of the problem since so many cases are never reported. And while child sexual abuse may be a daunting issue, it is preventable. Some of the top leaders in the field of child sexual abuse prevention have developed nine research projects aimed at expanding the science base needed to prevent child sexual abuse. While each project is unique in its area of focus, together they show how creative ideas and teamwork can help us learn which prevention approaches work best. To elevate some of the early work of these important projects, the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse is releasing a special issue entitled the Primary Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Perpetration. The final issue will be comprised of nearly 20 articles from the child sexual abuse prevention research portfolio, offering practical insights into what does and does not work, helping other researchers design stronger studies and avoid possible pitfalls in a sensitive and complex field, and helping practitioners and lawmakers identify prevention programs and policies that demonstrate early potential. Protecting children is something we can all be a part of. With the knowledge gained from this collection of research, we can build a world where kids grow up safe, happy and healthy. https://cdcf.link/4mCE64S