Resources

Sexual Abuse Resources

An American is sexually assaulted every two minutes, totaling an average of nearly 238,000 individuals over 12 years of age each year, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. And the Crimes Against Children Research Center estimates that one in five girls and one in twenty boys will be a victim of sexual abuse in their lifetimes. These assaults leave behind a lifetime of psychological damage. That is why health professionals need all the help they can get to address the consequences of sexual abuse. These resources should serve as free aids for professionals, students, and individuals dealing with this sobering public health concern.

Open Access Journals

There are unfortunately few major open-access journals dedicated to sexual abuse, but many of the top publications do offer a portion of their content for free.

  • International Journal of High Risk Behaviors and Addiction

    Publisher: Kowsar

    This Iranian open-access publication on dangerous behaviors often print articles related to sexual violence.

  • Sexual Offender Treatment

    Publisher: International Association for the Treatment of Sexual Offenders (IATSO)

    While its website may not look like much, this open-access publication is the official journal of the respected nonprofit IATSO. On the website you will find research related to all aspects of sexual abuse.

OpenCourseWare

Sexual violence is a public health concern attracting a lot of attention in recent years, with public and private groups decrying the unacceptable levels of violence directed toward women around the world. Discover the roots of this sad social phenomenon via the theories and hard science put forth in courses conducted by top universities.

  • Feminist Political Thought

    The contemporary feminist movement has made combating sexual violence a key social objective. Understand this definitive movement with this collection of readings from MIT.

  • Evolutionary Biology

    Evolutionary biology has become an increasingly common way to understand the world. The theory also provides a "nature over nurture" explanation for crimes such as sexual violence.

  • Sexual Violence in African Military Conflicts: The Lethal Common Denominator

    Organized sexual violence has been a dark theme of many conflicts in Africa. These audio lectures work to uncover the reasons behind this phenomenon through feminist critique and conflict theories.

  • Sex and Gender Identities

    To understand sexual transgressions like assault and rape, it is important to be familiar with the normal sexual and gender politics underlying the system. This collection of readings from MIT will give you a strong foundation.

Research Organizations

According to the U.S. Justice Department, 60% of sexual assaults will never be reported to police. And the percentage of unreported crimes is likely far higher when the victims are children. So the following organizations conduct essential research for shedding light on this pernicious public health concern.

Professional Organizations

These organizations represent professionals who help prevent sexual assault and help care for the victims.

Public Awareness Organizations

According to the United Nations, one in three women will be raped or assaulted in her lifetime. At the same time, intolerably high numbers of children report being sexually abused. Bringing these dark truths out into the open is the first step in addressing this major public health concern, and it is what these organizations do.

  • Sexual Assault Awareness Month

    Along with other pressing health concerns, sexual assault has an awareness month, April, which is organized by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. The initiative aims to get people talking about sexual violence as a first step toward fixing the problem.

  • Darkness to Light

    This nationwide nonprofit educates adults to recognize and react effectively to the sexual abuse of children. The organization has more than 6,500 educational facilitators in all 50 states.

  • One In Three Women

    Taking a name from a UN report that 1 in 3 women will be raped in her lifetime, this organization spreads awareness and funds treatment program for victims of sexual violence around the world.

  • Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

    The largest anti-sexual violence nonprofit in the United States, RAINN provides information and statistics, raises awareness, and supports sexual assault victims through the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

  • Stop Rape Now

    This United Nations program raises awareness and pushes for political action to stop sexual violence against women in combat zones around the world.

  • UNite to End Violence Against Women

    Since 2008, this United Nations initiative has been working with governments and international organizations to reduce the number of sexual assaults against women.