Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse

When the Abuser Is a Woman: Female-on-Female Child Sexual Abuse

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on June 2, 2026

New research reveals that female perpetrators of child sexual abuse often use grooming, and victims rarely tell anyone.

New research reveals that female perpetrators of child sexual abuse often use grooming, and victims rarely tell anyone.

Sexual Abuse

Language Matters When Talking About Child Sexual Abuse

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on March 4, 2026

The words used to describe child sexual abuse matter. Media framing can obscure exploitation, minimize harm, and shape how the public understands abuse.

The words used to describe child sexual abuse matter. Media framing can obscure exploitation, minimize harm, and shape how the public understands abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Do Sexual Abuse Offenders Target the Same Type of Victim?

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on January 9, 2026

Research shows that not all perpetrators of sexual abuse target a single type of victim; some target victims across multiple age groups, genders, and relationships.

Research shows that not all perpetrators of sexual abuse target a single type of victim; some target victims across multiple age groups, genders, and relationships.

Sexual Abuse

How Can Child Sexual Abuse in Schools Be Stopped?

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on March 21, 2025

A new study examined how children are being sexually abused in schools. The next step is implementing steps to prevent it.

A new study examined how children are being sexually abused in schools. The next step is implementing steps to prevent it.

Sexual Abuse

Does All Childhood Sexual Abuse Involve Sexual Grooming?

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on October 9, 2024

Knowledge about sexual grooming behaviors can keep children safe from sexual abuse.

Knowledge about sexual grooming behaviors can keep children safe from sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Understand What Online Sexual Grooming Really Is

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on July 25, 2024

MrBeast's former YouTube co-host, Ava Kris Tyson, has been accused of online sexual grooming. This is what that means.

MrBeast's former YouTube co-host, Ava Kris Tyson, has been accused of online sexual grooming. This is what that means.

Sex

When Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Are Disbelieved

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on July 11, 2024

Nobel Laureate Alice Munro's daughter disclosed sexual abuse by her stepfather, and that her mother failed to support her. Learn the causes of non-support and how it impacts survivors.

Nobel Laureate Alice Munro's daughter disclosed sexual abuse by her stepfather, and that her mother failed to support her. Learn the causes of non-support and how it impacts survivors.

Sexual Abuse

It's Not Only Adults Who Perpetrate Child Sexual Abuse

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on February 26, 2024

A new study finds that another youth perpetrates the behavior in 37 percent of cases of child sexual abuse, and almost all cases (97 percent) involve sexual grooming behaviors.

A new study finds that another youth perpetrates the behavior in 37 percent of cases of child sexual abuse, and almost all cases (97 percent) involve sexual grooming behaviors.

Sexual Abuse

3 Steps Parents Can Take to Protect Kids From Sexual Abuse

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on January 5, 2024

Knowledge is power when it comes to preventing sexual abuse. Learn three key strategies to keep your children safe in the new year.

Knowledge is power when it comes to preventing sexual abuse. Learn three key strategies to keep your children safe in the new year.

Sexual Abuse

What Is Familial Sexual Grooming?

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on December 5, 2023

In cases of child sexual abuse, the perpetrator may also spend time and effort grooming the family. Learn about the process of familial grooming and how it can be prevented.

In cases of child sexual abuse, the perpetrator may also spend time and effort grooming the family. Learn about the process of familial grooming and how it can be prevented.

Sexual Abuse

Understanding Delayed Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on June 21, 2023

New federal legislation eliminates the statute of limitations for those sexually abused as minors to file civil claims.

New federal legislation eliminates the statute of limitations for those sexually abused as minors to file civil claims.

Sex

Educator Sexual Misconduct Remains Prevalent in Schools

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on May 17, 2023

Twenty years after the Shakeshaft Report, educator sexual misconduct remains rampant in U.S. schools. The results of a new study give insights into the abuse and how to prevent it.

Twenty years after the Shakeshaft Report, educator sexual misconduct remains rampant in U.S. schools. The results of a new study give insights into the abuse and how to prevent it.

Sex

Identification of Red-Flag Sexual Grooming Behaviors

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on March 9, 2023

A new study identifies red-flag sexual grooming behaviors that differentiated between those who experienced childhood sexual abuse and normal adult-child interactions

A new study identifies red-flag sexual grooming behaviors that differentiated between those who experienced childhood sexual abuse and normal adult-child interactions

Sexual Abuse

What Child Sexual Grooming Actually Means

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on December 2, 2022

Understanding the definition of child sexual grooming can help adults stop child sexual abuse before it occurs.

Understanding the definition of child sexual grooming can help adults stop child sexual abuse before it occurs.

Sexual Abuse

Fighting the "Stranger Danger" Myth

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on September 3, 2022

Learn why focusing child abuse prevention efforts on stranger danger can be harmful to children.

Learn why focusing child abuse prevention efforts on stranger danger can be harmful to children.

Sexual Abuse

How Sexual Abusers Try to Groom Children

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on April 18, 2022

There has been controversy in the media about the usage of the term "grooming." Understand why it is critical that the term be used only in reference to child sexual abuse.

There has been controversy in the media about the usage of the term "grooming." Understand why it is critical that the term be used only in reference to child sexual abuse.

Sex

Talking to Your Kids About Sex

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on March 31, 2022

Integrating discussion of healthy sexuality into your parenting can protect your children from sexual abuse.

Integrating discussion of healthy sexuality into your parenting can protect your children from sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Why Children Don’t Tell Anyone About Sexual Abuse

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on February 28, 2022

Child sexual abuse is one of the most under-reported crimes. Here's what might facilitate disclosure—and help survivors access treatment and support.

Child sexual abuse is one of the most under-reported crimes. Here's what might facilitate disclosure—and help survivors access treatment and support.

Relationships

Why It's Important to Talk About Sexual Coercion

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on February 7, 2022

No one should feel pressure to engage in sexual relations that they do not want. Sexual coercion refers to a wide range of behaviors and can have negative long-term consequences.

No one should feel pressure to engage in sexual relations that they do not want. Sexual coercion refers to a wide range of behaviors and can have negative long-term consequences.

Sex

Understanding the Role of Women in Sex Trafficking

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on December 30, 2021

Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty of federal sex trafficking. Find out how women are involved in sex trafficking and the sexual grooming of victims.

Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty of federal sex trafficking. Find out how women are involved in sex trafficking and the sexual grooming of victims.