Ginny Sprang, Ann L Coker, Annelise Mennicke, Candace Brancato, Colleen M Ray, Evelyn Thorne
{"title":"The See It to Stop It Indicator Tool to Identify Child Sex Trafficking: Acceptability, Feasibility, Utility, and Outcomes.","authors":"Ginny Sprang, Ann L Coker, Annelise Mennicke, Candace Brancato, Colleen M Ray, Evelyn Thorne","doi":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2641779","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2641779","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adolescents involved in sex trafficking may not engage in help-seeking behavior due to fear, stigma, and lack of awareness about available resources. Likewise, professionals interacting with these youth may have little guidance on how to identify risk or respond when trafficking concerns are detected. This study describes the development, feasibility, acceptability, utility, and outcomes of the See It to Stop It Indicator (SITSII) tool for middle school staff (MSS), developed as part of a Cluster Randomized Control Trial of a bystander intervention, to prevent child sex trafficking (CST) in students. The SITSII contains 17 items categorized into three tiers of concern (Probable Concern Tier 3; Potential Concern Tier 2; Emerging Concern Tier 1) that map onto bystander actions based on a risk stratification model. Mixed-method data from 63 MSS were analyzed to determine screening outcomes, intentions to act, barriers to action, and assessments of feasibility, acceptability, and utility. Outcomes indicate that running away (Tier 3) and truancy (Tier 2), followed by a history of child maltreatment (Tier 2), were the most prevalent student behaviors, while 21% had no identifiable risk factors. This suggests a lack of bias toward over- or under-identification. Users rated the acceptability and utility of the tool favorably, and 91.5% endorsed confidence in taking the recommended bystander actions. The SITSII establishes a continuum of risk factors for CST that map onto actionable items. There is evidence of successful SITSII implementation as well as enhanced confidence in intent-to-act to protect identified students.</p>","PeriodicalId":47645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child Sexual Abuse","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13140772/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147379228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aria F Wiseblatt, Lucia M Fetkenhour, Brittney Greene, Esther Turay, Emalee Kerr, Jennifer P Read
{"title":"The Lived Experiences of Risk: Black College Women's Perspectives on Sexual Assault.","authors":"Aria F Wiseblatt, Lucia M Fetkenhour, Brittney Greene, Esther Turay, Emalee Kerr, Jennifer P Read","doi":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2641047","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2026.2641047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual assault (SA) is a significant problem among college women. Black college women engage in some of the most common SA risk behaviors (e.g. alcohol use, hookups) less frequently than White women yet experience SA at similar rates. A better understanding of Black college women's SA risk is needed. This three-phase (P1-P3) study (P1 and P2 focus groups and P3 feedback interviews), was designed to address this objective. P1 (<i>N</i> = 4) was conducted to determine culturally appropriate tone and content for P2 groups. P2 participants (<i>N</i> = 27), were queried about perceptions of specific SA risks for Black college women, and later (P3) provided feedback on how investigators had summarized these findings. P2 thematic analysis revealed themes both consistent with and distinct from prior college SA literature. Specifically, like White women, Black college women report risks around alcohol use and hookups. Dissimilarly, they emphasized pressures - both internal and external - in committed sexual relationships and described experiences of racialized objectification and perceived hypersexuality. Findings highlight racialized ways that men sexually objectify and pressure Black college women to engage in sexual activities, as well as women's internal struggles regarding sexual decisions. The extensive nature of risk factors Black college women report illustrates a complex and potentially unique landscape of SA risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":47645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child Sexual Abuse","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147373410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jennifer E O'Brien, Vanessa Voller, Lisa Jones, Aneesha Makena, Lauren J Martin
{"title":"Adolescent Perspectives on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Prevention Programming: What do Prevention Developers Need to Know?","authors":"Jennifer E O'Brien, Vanessa Voller, Lisa Jones, Aneesha Makena, Lauren J Martin","doi":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2641046","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2641046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is confirmed across all racial and ethnic identities, socioeconomic statuses, geographic regions, and backgrounds, underscoring a need for greater general awareness of the crime and the many trajectories of abuse it may encompass. CSEC prevention programs are one suggested method of averting initial or re-victimization of particularly vulnerable children and youth, as well as providing youth who have been exposed to CSEC with needed supports and resources. The current study asked 28 youth (ages 15-18) who had recently participated in the <i>Not a Number</i> (NAN) CSEC prevention education program their perspectives on the most memorable and/or valuable pieces of CSEC prevention programing. Focus groups were held with 28 youths across four focus groups at four sites - two in Texas, and two in Minnesota. Qualitative coding revealed 3 main components of CSEC prevention programming that youth found most valuable: (1) relatability and relevance of curriculum, (b) the importance of digital safety, and (c) engaging and interactive pedagogies. The attributes of program delivery identified as valuable in the study provide insight into the experiences of youth who have participated in CSEC prevention programming, and future programming needs and considerations for program developers aiming to deliver CSEC primary prevention programming to children and youth. Implications for research and practice are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":47645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child Sexual Abuse","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147357172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Who Steps in and for Whom? The Impact of Bystander Relationship and Victim Gender on the Likelihood of Helping Behavior During Sexual Harassment.","authors":"Kayla Ford, Lindsay S Ham, Hannah Sawyer","doi":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2637558","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2026.2637558","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bystanders are most frequently present prior to a sexual assault, wherein it is possible that bystanders witness sexual harassment (e.g. sexist jokes, unwanted touching). The relationship between the victim and the sex of the victim can impact bystander intervention during sexual violence. As such, the present study examines how the presence of certain types of bystanders (e.g. friends) during sexual harassment influences the likelihood of bystander intervention, and whether the gender of the victim moderates this relationship. Participants included 724 college students (78.9% female; 82.9% White; 89.4% heterosexual) ages 18 to 24 (<i>M</i>age = 18.97, <i>SD</i>age = 1.12) who reported at least one experience of sexual harassment, the presence of a witness during sexual harassment, and indicated whether a bystander intervened. Two binomial linear regressions were conducted. Friends were less likely to intervene than roommates or family, but more likely than acquaintances or strangers. Although gender moderation was not supported, male victims reported that bystanders were less likely to intervene compared to bystanders of female victims. Consistent with previous work, the odds of bystander intervention are significantly related to the context in which sexual harassment occurs. Family members and roommates may feel a stronger sense of responsibility to intervene due to their closeness to the victim compared to other bystander types. Men who experienced sexual harassment were less likely to report bystander intervention during sexual harassment than women, which suggests barriers to helping behavior. Implications for bystander programming, clinical work, and future research are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":47645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child Sexual Abuse","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147366973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Link Between Child Sexual Abuse, Identity, and Self-Harm: A Study of Identity Statuses in Youth.","authors":"Vanesa Pastor-Cerezo, A Iborra Cuéllar","doi":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2638966","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2026.2638966","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the relationships between childhood sexual abuse (CSA), self-injurious thoughts, and behaviors within a sample exhibiting diverse identity statuses. Despite no significant correlations between identity statuses and CSA, self-injurious thoughts and behaviors were prevalent, with notable incidences in the <i>Undefined</i> and <i>Arrested Moratorium</i> statuses. The functions and triggers of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors have been analyzed, identifying significant associations with emotional states and family dynamics. Findings suggest a cyclical relationship between negative emotional states and self-harm, as illustrated by the Emotional Cascades Model. Limitations include sample size and gender representativeness, highlighting the need for further research to explore these dynamics more comprehensively, particularly regarding the role of identity and emotional regulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":47645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child Sexual Abuse","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147345476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amanda J Paton, Sarah Shihata, Kelly Winslade, Nada Ibrahim
{"title":"Enhancing Safety for Children in Out-of-Home Care Impacted by Harmful Sexual Behaviors: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Amanda J Paton, Sarah Shihata, Kelly Winslade, Nada Ibrahim","doi":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2633633","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2026.2633633","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Harmful sexual behavior (HSB) is associated with significant risks and long-term adverse impacts. For children and young people who have displayed HSB, promoting safety and wellbeing across developmental timeframes is critical. Although substantial knowledge and guidance exists on risk assessment and safety management, there is limited guidance on how to develop detailed safety plans within out-of-home care (OOHC) contexts. This scoping review aimed to inform the development of short- and long-term safety plans for children and young people in OOHC following HSB. Sixteen peer-reviewed papers and practice or policy guides exploring HSB in the OOHC context that included commentary on safety were reviewed. Although the search strategy spanned multiple countries, most of the eligible studies were from the United Kingdom (UK), Scotland, and Australia. A reflexive thematic approach identified three main themes: enhancing acute short-term safety, enhancing long-term safety and building strengths, and key principles/processes to consider for safety planning. Findings highlight multiple domains relevant to safety planning, including interpersonal relationships, cultural connection, social media use, and placement dynamics. The results indicate that safety planning should be collaborative and involve children and young people. The literature further emphasized the importance of relational, organizational and systemic context alongside individual behavior. While this review identifies core considerations for safety planning following HSB in OOHC, geographical limitations should be considered when applying the findings to other international settings. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of safety planning approaches and their contribution to safety and wellbeing over time.</p>","PeriodicalId":47645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child Sexual Abuse","volume":" ","pages":"1-24"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147327678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Victoria West Staples, Westley A Youngren, Elizabeth C Neilson
{"title":"Perceived Behavioral Control in Sexual Consent: Effects on Sexual Satisfaction Following Sexual Assault.","authors":"Victoria West Staples, Westley A Youngren, Elizabeth C Neilson","doi":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2633635","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2026.2633635","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual assault disrupts numerous aspects of sexual functioning, such as sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction defined as the sense of positive emotions and fulfillment derived from sexual encounters. Related to sexual satisfaction, the ability to establish and seek consent is thought to play a critical role in promoting sexual satisfaction. Conversely, a lack of perceived behavioral control to engage in consent behaviors may compound the adverse effects of sexual assault on sexual satisfaction. Despite these potential connections, limited research has explored the interaction between sexual assault, lack of perceived behavioral control, and sexual satisfaction, thus, the current study aims to address these gaps in the literature. Our study utilized an anonymous, online survey where participants (<i>N =</i> 405) reported the severity of past-year sexual assault and lifetime sexual assault, sexual satisfaction, and lack of perceived behavioral control to seek consent in sexual situations. Moderation analyses revealed that sexual assault in the past-year impacted the relationship between perceived behavioral control and sexual satisfaction, where higher levels of perceived control led to higher levels of satisfaction when the sexual assault was less severe. Examining the interaction between sexual assault and perceived behavioral control offers insight into additional factors that influence sexual well-being among survivors, offering valuable insights for identifying treatment targets. Additionally, this may inform future research to investigate how risk reduction programs that bolster protective behavioral strategies to prevent victimization and build sexual assertiveness skills enhanced perceived control and consent behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":47645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child Sexual Abuse","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146214439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ginny Sprang, Annelise Mennicke, Emily R Clear, Michael J Brienzo, Ashley L Roark, Jessica Willard, Kara Tsukerman, Evelyn Thorne, Colleen M Ray, Candace J Brancato, Meredith S Duncan, Ann L Coker
{"title":"Randomized Control Trial Protocol to Evaluate an Engaged-Bystander Approach to Prevent Child Sex Trafficking.","authors":"Ginny Sprang, Annelise Mennicke, Emily R Clear, Michael J Brienzo, Ashley L Roark, Jessica Willard, Kara Tsukerman, Evelyn Thorne, Colleen M Ray, Candace J Brancato, Meredith S Duncan, Ann L Coker","doi":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2627226","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2026.2627226","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Risk factors for child sex trafficking (CST) include substance use among familial traffickers, family violence, and poverty. Our research team will develop a novel intervention and prevention program based on these risk factors to reduce CST. We describe the design and methods we will use to evaluate our county-level cluster randomized control trial (cRCT) conducted in middle schools. Research aims include testing the combined effectiveness of 1) a mass media campaign targeting CST prevention and 2) an engaged-bystander training intervention to reduce CST. Fifty counties with >2 middle schools were randomized to the intervention (25 counties, 113 eligible schools) or attention control (25 counties, 101 eligible schools). Intervention counties will receive both a CST prevention-focused mass media campaign (billboards) and CST intervention training. The online CST engaged-bystander training will be offered to consenting middle school staff within intervention counties. Middle school staff in control counties will also receive online training focused solely on CST identification, referral, and reporting. To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention versus control, consenting participants will be asked to complete pre- and post-training surveys, their assigned training, and follow-up surveys. Outcome measures include knowledge, attitudes, willingness, and self-efficacy to reduce CST by actions to identify children at risk, make referrals, and report CST. Implementing CST prevention and intervention training is anticipated to increase actions taken to reduce CST risk in intervention versus control counties. Reductions in CST risk could have direct relevance for national CST prevention programming.</p>","PeriodicalId":47645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child Sexual Abuse","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146144096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Beth A Lanning, C Natalie Noreen, Erin Young, Chris Amezcua, Aliyu Tijani, Greg Sumpter, David Pooler
{"title":"Motivational Interviewing Training for Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth Service Providers.","authors":"Beth A Lanning, C Natalie Noreen, Erin Young, Chris Amezcua, Aliyu Tijani, Greg Sumpter, David Pooler","doi":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2627234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2026.2627234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The commercial sexual exploitation of youth (CSEY) is a critical public health crisis, with survivors often experiencing profound trauma, distrust of formal support systems, and ambivalence toward care. Given these challenges, professionals working with CSEY require specialized training to engage and support survivors effectively. This study aimed to develop, pilot, and evaluate a Motivational Interviewing (MI) training program tailored for professionals assisting CSEY. The goals of this study were to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the MI-CSEY training in enhancing professional knowledge, attitudes, and skills in using MI techniques. The objectives included: (1) developing an MI training program specific to professionals working with CSEY, (2) piloting the program across seven geographical sites in Texas, and (3) evaluating its feasibility and impact on participant knowledge and self-efficacy. The MI-CSEY training was developed using formative evaluation methods, including focus groups with 11 service providers. A structured 14-hour training was implemented for 325 professionals, with knowledge and self-efficacy assessed using pre- and post-training surveys (MIKAT and MISSA). Results indicated that 75% of participants completed at least 80% of the training, with statistically significant improvements in MI knowledge (<i>p</i> = .026) and self-efficacy (<i>p</i> < .001). Participants reported high satisfaction, reinforcing the program's feasibility and potential for broader application. Future research should explore the long-term impact of MI-CSEY training on professional practice and survivor outcomes. Additionally, developing a fully remote training option would enhance accessibility, ensuring more professionals nationwide receive the skills needed to support this vulnerable population.</p>","PeriodicalId":47645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child Sexual Abuse","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146144159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paul Wyles, Patrick O'Leary, Menka Tsantefski, Amy Young
{"title":"\"Alone in my head, I did my best not to feel anything\": A Qualitative Study of the Lived Experience of Male Survivors of Institutional CSA.","authors":"Paul Wyles, Patrick O'Leary, Menka Tsantefski, Amy Young","doi":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2656301","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10538712.2026.2656301","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The over-representation of males as survivors of institutional child sexual abuse is increasingly accepted in the research literature. Despite this, there is little in the research that considers the lived experience of male survivors. This study examines the experience of male survivors through their narratives that emerged from the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013-2017). A qualitative content analysis approach was used to examine data. Inductive coding of de-identified survivor narratives from the Royal Commission's private sessions allowed categorization. The analysis included four institutional types - armed forces, religious, sport and recreation, and youth detention - where abuse occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, making 412 narratives. Survivor narrative categories emerged in three areas: (1) <i>The Abuse, Emotion, and Impact;</i> (2) <i>Reporting/Not reporting the abuse</i>, and (3) <i>The Institutions</i>. This article focuses on the analysis of the first category. Six dominant emotions emerged from the narratives: anger, confusion, embarrassment, fear, guilt, and shame. Analysis identified child sexual assault-related issues including the abuse of other children, locations where the abuse took place, multiple abuse incidents, and co-occurring physical abuse. Major impacts identified include alcohol and other drugs, mental health, problems at school/work, and relationship difficulties. A variety of emotions and impacts for survivors, including parallel experiences across institutional types, emerged from the analysis of the data. This study adds to the research literature elevating survivor voices. Strengths and limitations of this study are discussed along with practice, policy, and research implications.</p>","PeriodicalId":47645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child Sexual Abuse","volume":" ","pages":"202-220"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147677747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}