Peer Reviewed Articles
CHILD USA’s Social Science team conducts evidence based research and data analysis to provide information to better protect children in the United States.
“Interpersonal Violence in Elite U.S. Athletes: Prevalence and Mental Health Correlates”
Accepted March 2024
CHILD USA is proud to announce our groundbreaking study on interpersonal violence (IV) among elite U.S. athletes, the first comprehensive study of its kind. Published in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, this peer-reviewed research reveals alarming rates of psychological, physical, and sexual violence, as well as significant associations between abuse and mental health challenges.
The Game Over Commission to Protect Youth Athletes conceived the current study to help answer the question of whether the severe types of interpersonal violence found in USA gymnastics are prevalent in other Olympic teams and to examine mental health issues associated with IV.
Our findings highlight the urgent need for stronger abuse prevention policies and standardized definitions of abuse in sport to create safer environments and protect athletes from harm.
Child Sexual Abuse of Elite Athletes: Prevalence, Perceptions, and Mental Health
Written by Carter E. Timon, Stephanie J. Dallam, Marci A. Hamilton, Emily Liu, Janella S. Kang, Andrew J. Ortiz & Richard J. Gelles ~ Accepted June 2022
ABSTRACT
Despite a series of high-profile media reports of sexual abuse in sport over the past few years, little research has been done to explore the scope of the problem in the United States. The current article reports on prevalence of child sexual assault in elite athletes in the United States. Using a retrospective web survey, adults answered questions on their experiences in sport. Of the 473 elite athletes surveyed, 3.8% (n = 18) reported being sexual assaulted as a minor in the sporting context. Of those reporting assault, most (61%) reported being abused by an adult authority figure (usually a coach) and 44% reported being assaulted by a peer. Abused athletes were significantly more likely to report having been diagnosed with a mental disorder (Fisher’s exact test; p < .001). The findings can be utilized to improve prevention and child protection measures and other safeguarding initiatives in sport.
Analysis of the Written Policies of the 32 U.S. Archdioceses on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
Written by Stephanie Dallam, Marci Hamilton, Sabine Glocker, and Andrew J. Ortiz ~ Accepted in June 2021
ABSTRACT
The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been under concerted public pressure to improve its child protection policies. However, development of these policies has largely been left to the discretion of local dioceses with little central oversight. To determine the scope of current abuse prevention policies, we analyzed all 32 U.S. archdioceses’ policies and practices for developing a safe environment and preventing child sexual abuse. Using a tool developed from a list of unique components selected from the policies of all 32 archdioceses, we compared policies and procedures across archdioceses. On a group level, we found policies to be inadequate. The average score for archdioceses in the general area of prevention was 40.7 (SD = 9.3) out of 102 possible points (40% of possible points) with few prevention policies conforming to basic best practices that would be expected of a youth-serving organization. The variation and inconsistencies across archdioceses reveal the need for the Catholic Church to establish more uniform standards for preventing sexual abuse. These standards should be grounded in evidence-based practices and expert guidance. We also discuss some key areas which warrant immediate attention in future policy-making.
Survey of the Written Child Protection Policies of the 32 U.S. Archdioceses
Stephanie Dallam, Marci Hamilton, and Sabine Glocker ~ Accepted May 2021
ABSTRACT
Amid considerable public scrutiny, Roman Catholic institutions in the United States have been called upon to address underlying organizational conditions that may facilitate child sex abuse and establish effective policies for early intervention and prevention. The development of child protection policies has largely been left to the discretion of local dioceses with little in the way of central oversight. This study examined the 32 U.S. archdioceses’ written policies on child protection and maintaining a safe environment. We found 14 distinct policies spread across the archdioceses which fit into four general categories or domains: (1) Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse; (2) Detection and Reporting of Abuse; (3) Response to Victims; and (4) Investigational Process and Response to Allegations of Abuse. Using a tool developed from a list of unique components selected from the better policies of all 32 archdioceses, we compared policies across archdioceses. On a group level, we found current policies to be inadequate. The average score for all 32 archdioceses was 100.9 out of 250 possible points or 40%. The range was 61 to 137 (SD 20.4). The variation and inconsistencies across multiple archdioceses within the U.S. reveal the need for the Catholic Church to establish evidence-based standards on appropriately and effectively addressing child sexual abuse within its dioceses. These standards should be based on empirically supported best practices and emerging consensus of experts on better practices for youth-serving organizations in relation to child abuse. This article points to parameters for consideration in developing such standards.