The Value of Research

Attempts to examine patterns of child sexual abuse internationally has been limited for many reasons. Outside of the US, Canada and England, few countries have research on child sexual abuse published in scholarly-refereed venues, and regardless of source, comparability is difficult with respect to methods and measurement. This reflects in part the lesser status of children and females as well as a resistance in societies globally (even those who have conducted research) to acknowledge the problem of child sexual abuse, instead relying on myths to continue denial such as “child sexual abuse doesn’t happen here” or “only disturbed strangers do that.” This is unfortunate, as information on child sexual abuse allows for the possibility of acknowledging the problem in society which in turn is necessary if victims are to be assisted and child sexual abuse to be prevented in the future.