This is the category that prompted me to start thinking an online resource library is a good idea. There are two scenarios that led me to believe there is a need for such a library. First, there is the adult survivor who was abused decades ago, and now decides it’s time to come forward. You deserve solid information to understand what happened to you and how to find your way out of the labyrinth that is the internal struggle with child sex abuse. These materials are for you.
Second, there are the families where a child discloses that they have been abused. The shock is difficult to absorb, and parents and the child (anyone under age 18) immediately seek knowledge and wisdom. So do siblings, by the way. There are so many who have taken this path before, it is only humane to gather resources here for you to get some early understanding without the pain and triggering that can arise with googling this topic. These materials are for you.
They are also for anyone who wants to understand the basics of child sex abuse.
This section of the portal focuses on the big picture. Some of them are classics like Dr. Bessel Van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score while others are new like The Gift of Forgiveness. Each one makes a distinctive contribution to understanding child sex abuse for survivors, their families and friends, and those who work with children. These materials not only can be helpful in one’s journey of healing, but also to assist anyone working with children who wants to understand it. They are valuable for understanding and prevention.
Everyone has their own best way to learn, which is why we have included suggested reading and viewing: books and articles, documentaries and videos, and online resources.
Here’s to enlightenment and healing!
— Prof. Marci Hamilton, Founder/CEO of CHILD USA
Books
Our selected books are typically available in public and/or university libraries.
A Prospective Investigation of the Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on the Development of Sexuality by Jennine G. Noll, Penelope K. Trickett, and Frank W. Putnam
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- This article looks at the impact of child sexual abuse on the development of sexuality in women in a longitudinal, prospective study.
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Child Sexual Abuse Assessment and Professional Ethics: Commentary on Controversies, Limits and When to Just Say No by David L. Corwin
Global Threat Assessment: Working together to end the sexual exploitation of children online by the WeProtect Global Alliance
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- This global threat assessment discusses the impact to victims and the wider societal impact of online child sexual exploitation
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How We Are Failing Children: Changing the Paradigm by The Canadian Center for Child Protection
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- Proposed set of principles for action that prioritizes the protection and rights of children in the removal of child sexual abuse images and harmful/abuse images.
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Is the Child Victim of Sexual Abuse Telling the Truth? by Kathleen Coulborn Faller
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- Scholarly article detailing steps for evaluators to approach children disclosing sexual abuse.
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New York Times “It Will Always be a Part of My Life” by Concepción de León
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- This article discusses Chanel Miller’s story before and after her Stanford sexual assault case.
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New York Times Series on Child Porn by Michael H. Keller and Gabriel J.X. Dance
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- This article explains the NYT’s investigation of child pornography and policy failures.
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Now more than ever, prevention matters by Teresa Huizar
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- Teresa Huizar, the Executive Director of National Children’s Alliance, discusses the increased need for child abuse prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Out of the Shadows: Shining Light on the Response to Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit
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- 60-country benchmarking index that examines how countries are responding to the threat of sexual violence against children.
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The Complex Experience of Child Pornography Survivors by Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan, Wendy Walsha, Janis Wolaka, and David Finkelhor
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- This scholarly article identifies themes and implications for child pornography survivors.
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The Child Protection Pretense: States’ Continued Consignment of Newborn Babies to Unfit Parents by Professor James G. Dwyer
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- This Minnesota Law Review article discusses the many gaps in child protection law and agency practice, increasing the likelihood of unchecked, repeated, and inter-generational abuse.
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Treatment of Childhood Sexual Abuse: An Updated Review by Marissa Cummings, Steven J. Berkowitz, and Philip V. Scribano
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- This article reviews current literature on the treatment of CSA, including psychosocial interventions, pharmacotherapy, and early preventative interventions. It also provides an update on the short- and long-term sequelae of CSA and implications for future research directions.
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Sea of Destruction: Legal and Social Forces Enabling Sexual Abuse of Children by Amos N. Guiora
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- This article seeks to expose the truth of how our schools, laws, and powerful groups in our society actively work to aid mobile molesters in schools—mobile because they move from child to child and school to school, all with the blessing of adult enablers who are charged to protect children.
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A Path Appears, Episode 1
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- A moving 1-hour and 23-minute documentary uncovering global sex trafficking.
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The Abuse That Never Ends by Sam Klausen
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- This 9-minute video discusses the importance of child pornography awareness and offers policy suggestions.
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ACE STUDY DVD – Executive Summary by Academy on Violence & Abuse
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- This 14-minute video summarizes the Academy on Violence and Abuse’s interviews with the co-founders of the CDC’s Adverse Childhood Experiences Study.
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Bar Fights: Dr. Danielle Moore with Sarah Klein
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- On this episode of Bar Fights, Sarah welcomes her sister survivor, now a doctor of clinical and forensic psychology, to discuss their journeys since that emotional day in Lansing, TTUN and the op-ed Danielle felt compelled to publish on its four-year anniversary.
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Busy Philipps and Ellen Open Up About Being Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Talking Circle: Human Trafficking in Tribal Communities
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- Skilled practitioners share their experiences working with human trafficking in tribal communities and discuss risk factors for trafficking, barriers to addressing trafficking on tribal lands, and needed services to aid the spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of trafficked tribal members or relatives.
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Tyler Perry On Surviving Sexual Abuse As A Child, Retiring His ‘Madea’ Character & More from PeopleTV
TEDTalk: How we can eliminate child sexual abuse material from the internet by Julie Cordua
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- A 14-minute video of social entrepreneur Julia Corduo discussing her potential technological solution to dismantling the communities normalizing child sexual abuse of children in images and videos on the internet.
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Sexual Assault Inside ICE Detention: 2 Survivors Tell Their Stories | Times Documentaries
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- This 10-minute video details the stories of two women being sexually abused by guards under the custody of ICE.
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The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC)
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- Legal tool kits to help inform child sex abuse survivors of the relevant laws in their state and what their rights and legal options are.
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Online Resources for Survivors: Websites and Resources Offering Support and Help by NSVRC
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- Operated by the Canadian Centre, Project Arachnid is a tool to combat the growing proliferation of child sexual abuse material on the internet.
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Me Too Movement’s Healing Resource Library
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- This Healing Resource Library represents a comprehensive database of many different organizations aimed at helping survivors of sexual violence. The Library includes hotlines & chats, healing toolkits & information, the Telling Our Truths blog, as well as a Survivor Story Series.
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Find a Child Advocacy Center Near You
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- The National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) offers 5,000+ resources related to child abuse response and prevention. Their Find a CAC page assists in finding a local children’s advocacy center for those who want to learn more.
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