SCOPE:

The problem of child sexual abuse has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. The American media have reported numerous cases in which persons in positions of trust--including day care providers, clergymen, and scout leaders--have been accused (and in some cases convicted) of molesting children under their care. Many of these charges have been made by adults who claim to have recovered repressed memories of abuse they were subjected to as children. Other widely reported stories have involved children being abused--and sometimes murdered--by convicted child molesters newly released from prison. In addition, pedophiles have reportedly lured child victims into abusive situations via the Internet.

A majority of states now notify residents of communities where a sex offender has been released. Some detain especially dangerous sex criminals for an indefinite term of mental treatment once their sentences expire. These laws are being challenged in the courts by those who charge they punish individuals for the same crime twice. Moreover, some treatment experts say the laws are based on a misconception about who commits sex crimes. Most convicted sex offenders are relatives or friends of their victims.  (Opposing Viewpoints 2003)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The following sources will allow you to become more familiar with your topic, will give you ideas for narrowing your topic, and will serve as a starting point for your further research.

SPEECH TABLE ITEMS
CQ Researcher Issues
    Sexual Abuse and the Clergy 2002 p.393+
    Cyber-Predators 2002 p.169+
    Children in Crisis 2001 p.657+
    Recovered-Memory Debate 1996 p.577+
    Treating Anxiety 2002 p.97+
    Punishing Sex Offenders 1996 p. 26+
    Catholic Church in the U.S. 1995 p. 792+
    Child Sexual Abuse 1993 p. 25+

Contemporary World Issues--Childhood Sexual Abuse

Childhood Sexual Abuse: a reference handbook/ contemporary world issues

REFERENCE ITEMS
Encyclopedia of Bioethics
REF HM 30 .E52

Encyclopedia of Marriage and the Family
REF HQ 9 .E52

Human Sexuality--An Encyclopedia
REF HQ 9 .H846

Encyclopedia of Social Issues
REF HN 57 .E59

Encyclopedia of Social Work
REF HV 35 .S6

Encyclopedia of Drugs and Alcohol
REF HV 5804 .E53

Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice
REF HV 6017 .E52

SUGGESTED TOPICS:

This topic is one which can be studied from a number of aspects and points of view. Some of these might be:

• Is chemical castration an effective treatment for sex offenders?

• Should convicted sex offenders be required to register with authorities?
• Do laws designed to protect children from sexual abuse violate privacy?
• Are programs aimed at preventing victimization of children effective?
• Did Freud misinterpret reported memories of sexual abuse as fantasies?
• Have American become overzealous in protecting children against pedophiles?
• Is violence or pedophilia the greater threat to children? Why?
• Why is sibling incest the least investigated form of incest?
• Does Megan's Law serve any purpose other than to encourage vigilantism? Would parent and child education about sexual abuse be a more effective preventive tool?
• Are constitutional issues such as due process and cruel and unusual punishment in Megan's Law valid?
• Is sexual abuse by Catholic priests widespread? If so, do they avoid the scrutiny of the media?
• Is there a relationship between childhood sexual abuse and parental alcoholism?
• Is child sexual abuse in day cares a serious problem?
• Is there a link between pornography and child sexual abuse?
• Is there a link between child sexual abuse and criminal activity in later life?
• Is therapy effective in the resolution of childhood sexual abuse experiences?
• Should videotaped interviews of child victims of sexual abuse be permitted in court?
• Have student-teacher relationships been negatively affected by teacher's fears of false sexual accusations?
• Is recovered memory research valid in cases of sexual abuse?