Sexual abuse: a public health challenge
A review of the evidence
October 2011
This review of the evidence looks at what we know about the causes, prevalence and consequences of sexual abuse and sets out the rationale for why the NSPCC is tackling sexual abuse.
Overview
Recent NSPCC research has found that almost a quarter of young adults experienced sexual abuse during childhood (see
sexual abuse statistics).
But a high number of these incidents go unreported, undetected, unprosecuted and untreated.
This report pulls together current knowledge on the causes and consequences of child sexual abuse, levels of service provision and examples of good practice within the UK and highlights the gaps in public policy.
It draws on a literature review and consultation with practitioners, managers, children and young people.
The report calls for a public health approach to tackling sexual abuse which employs a wide range of interventions from prevention strategies to treatment approaches.
Please cite as: Brown, Jon, O'Donnell, Trish and Erooga, Marcus (2011) Sexual abuse: a public health challenge. London: NSPCC.
Contact the NSPCC Information Service for specialist information on child sexual abuse or any child protection topic
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