The Greenbook Initiative Final Evaluation Report (pdf)

"The Greenbook national evaluation results are presented in three reports. The Greenbook Demonstration Initiative: Process Evaluation Report: Phase 1 focused on the planning and goal setting phase of the Greenbook initiative in the sites. This final evaluation report assesses the extent to which the Greenbook implementation activities facilitated cross-system and within system change and practice in the child welfare agencies, dependency courts, and domestic violence service providers."

15 Years of the United Nations Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Its Causes and Consequences (pdf)

This report reviews the status of violence against women as researched in 14 annual reports, 32 country mission reports, and 11 communication reports published as recently as December 2008. The report focuses on reproductive health and rights, poverty, migration, internally displaced persons (IDPs), women refugees, trafficking, aging, and adolescent girls. It also highlights how the mandate on violence against women has changed, what has been learned, and problems still to be addressed.

A League Table of Child Maltreatment Deaths in Rich Nations (pdf)

This report represents the first ever attempt to draw a comparative picture of the physical abuse of children in the 27 richest nations of the world. UNICEF research estimates that almost 3,500 children under the age of 15 die from physical abuse and neglect every year in the industrialized world.

A meta-analysis of the relationship of child sexual abuse to adult psychological adjustment

"This paper reports on meta-analyses of the relations of child sexual abuse to adult psychological adjustment. Results indicated statistically significant relationships between the experience of child sexual abuse and subsequent difficulties in psychological adjustment as measured by psychological symptomatology, depression, and self-esteem."

A National Resource Directory & Handbook Preventing Child Sexual Abuse (pdf)

"This directory brings together many of the currently available resources and initiatives related to child sexual abuse prevention, providing descriptions of organizations, programs, projects and a wide range of resources. Also features category indices, resource bibliographies, and highlights related research and key stakeholders."

Addressing Gender-based Violence: UNFPA Strategy and Framework for Action (pdf)

"This report identifies the particular areas where action is most urgently needed and proposes general policy frameworks for combating gender-based violence. The proposals, which focus on reducing gender inequality and discrimination, are aimed at UNFPA's overarching goal of eliminating violence against women and girls. The report critically examines existing policy frameworks, and suggests where future efforts need to be concentrated. "

Adolescent Sex Offenders and Children with Sexual Behavior Problems (pdf)

"This bibliography lists selected readings on adolescent sex offenders and children with sexual behavior problems. It includes research, guidelines, and clinical articles as well as websites and ordering information for selected articles."

American Indians and Crime (pdf)

"Reports rates and characteristics of violent crimes experienced by Native Americans and summarizes data on Native Americans in the criminal justice system."

Battered Women's Reports of Their Partner's and Children's Cruelty to Animals (pdf)

"This research study describes how abuse of pets is a method employed by batterers to control their partners, contributes to the impact on children exposed to violence, and may also be related to batterers' lethality."

Building Academic Capacity and Expertise in the HEALTH EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE (pdf)

This report was created from the Proceedings from a Pre-Conference Symposium at the Family Violence Prevention Fund which offers a blueprint on advancing professional health education from a perspective on the health effects on violence and abuse.

Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect: 2003 (pdf)

This report presents the major findings of the second cycle of the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS-2003). In this initiative, data are collected every five years on child maltreatment reported to, and investigated by, child welfare agencies in Canada.

Changing Policy and Practice in the Child Welfare System Through Collaborative Efforts to Identify and Respond Effectively to Family Violence

This article explains the importance of coordingating system change activities in child welfare agencies with many collaborative activities."

Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: Statistics and Interventions (pdf)

"This 2008 brief report presents statistical information on maltreatment-related fatalities of children including who are the victims and perpetrators and how communities often respond. "

Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention : Reports from the Field and Ideas for the Future (pdf)

"This report summarizes findings from a PPN project conducted for the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Child Abuse Prevention Program. The project sought to assess the current state of the child abuse and neglect prevention field as well as identify potential future directions for the field in terms of emerging priorities and prevention strategies."

Child Abuse Incidence and Reporting by Hospitals: Significance of Severity, Class, and Race

The study summarizes the data collected from a study that measured the variation in treatment and child protection cases reported by hospital workers. Findings suggested that race, the income and living situation of the family, alleged offender responsible for the child abuse, as well as the degree and type of abuse that occurred were all factors that dictated whether or not a hospital filed a report with child protection on behalf of the child's safety.

Child Abuse Reported to the Police (pdf)

Describes how data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System can be used to depict police experience with child abuse.

Child Abuse: Statistics, Research, and Resources

Gives historical contexts, sources of statistics, and statistical tools. Also includes official statistics on child abuse for the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. Discusses the prevalance of the sexual abuse of boys and the effects of child abuse, and gives resources for parents and caregivers.

Child Abuse: The Current Theory Base and Future Research Needs

This study briefly summarizes the literature findings on the effects and theories behind child abuse and then addresses implications for the future.

Child Custody and Visitation Decisions in Domestic Violence Cases: Legal Trends, Risk Factors, and Safety Concerns (Revised 2007) (pdf)

"Describes major legal and social trends surrounding custody and visitation decisions and the social science evidence supporting the need to consider domestic violence. Recommendations for custody and visitation decisions are explored."

Child Maltreatment 2006 Report (pdf)

"The latest Child Maltreatment annual report reports statistical data from the states on reports of maltreatment, characteristics of the children involved and their perpetrators, fatalities tied to maltreatment, and services provided to prevent maltreatment or to address the consequences of maltreatment."

Child prostitution: global health burden, research needs, and interventions

"In this article we estimate morbidity and mortality among prostituted children, and propose research strategies and interventions to mitigate such health consequences."

Child Protection Information Sheets (pdf)

"This booklet comprises 14 information sheets which highlight how child protection is crucial to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Covering different forms of abuse, these sheets also outline how to build a protective environment for children and what UNICEF is doing on the ground to protect children."

Child Sexual Abuse and Subsequent Psychopathology: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey

"This study examines the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and subsequent onset of psychiatric disorders, accounting for other childhood adversities, CSA type, and chronicity of the abuse."

Child Sexual Abuse: Child Survivors, Mothers, and Perpetrators Tell Their Stories (pdf)

This book is full of hard-to-find information about child sexual abuse and is based on interviews with children, mothers, and perpetrators. Through these interviews, questions many people have surrounding this issue are answered. This book reveals how our culture gangs up on child victims to the benefit of perpetrators.

Child Welfare Outcomes 2003: Annual Report

Improved efforts are needed to ensure that child victims do not experience recurrence of abuse or neglect, according to this year´s annual report to Congress from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Children´s Bureau. While the overall performance of state child welfare services generally improved from 2000 to 2003, the 2006 report, Child Welfare Outcomes 2003: Annual Report to Congress, recognizes that particularly with regard to maltreatment of children, the reported data do not always include all instances of abuse or neglect. In measuring the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, the report notes that child victim rates varied considerably across states, ranging from 1.6 per 1,000 children in the state's population in Pennsylvania to 42.2 in Alaska, with a median of 10.6. In seven states, there were fewer than five child victims per 1,000 children (Arizona, Idaho, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington). In contrast, in six states, there were more than 20 child victims per 1,000 (Alaska, District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, South Dakota, and West Virginia); in two of these six states (Alaska and Florida) there were more than 35 child victims per 1,000. The full report with state-by-state results plus nation-wide data can be downloaded from the Children's Bureau Web site above.

Childhood Experience and the Expression of Genetic Potential: What Childhood Neglect Tells Us About Nature and Nurture (pdf)

"Abuse studies from the author’s laboratory, studies of children in orphanages who lacked emotional contact, and a large number of animal deprivation and enrichment studies point to the need for children and young nonhuman mammals to have both stable emotional attachments with and touch from primary adult caregivers, and spontaneous interactions with peers. If these connections are lacking, brain development both of caring behavior and cognitive capacities is damaged in a lasting fashion. The effects of the childhood environment, favorable or unfavorable, interact with all the processes of neurodevelopment."

Children as Victims

May 2000. This 23-page Bulletin was derived from "Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 1999 National Report." It is one of a series of Bulletins designed to give readers quick access to some of the most critical data from the wealth of data in the 222-page Report, which was compiled for OJJDP by the National Center for Juvenile Justice. This Bulletin documents the impact of crime on society's most vulnerable victims--children.

Children with Sexual Behavior Problems: Common Misconceptions vs. Current Findings (pdf)

"This fact sheet provides information about children who demonstrate developmentally inappropriate or aggressive sexual behavior. It addresses some common myths about this population and provides findings from research on the issue."

Children’s Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey (pdf)

"This Bulletin discusses the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence that measured the past-year and lifetime exposure to violence for children age 17 and younger across several major categories: conventional crime, child maltreatment, victimization by peers and siblings, sexual victimization, witnessing and indirect victimization (including exposure to community violence and family violence), school violence and threats, and Internet victimization."

Choosing and Using Child Victimization Questionnaires

15-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin notes several benefits deriving from the use of standardized questionnaires. Specific guidelines are provided to help youth service professionals determine what type of victimization is to be measured, what questionnaire should be administered, whether the results need to correspond to crime and child protection categories, what period of time is being surveyed, what the children's ages are, and whether the results will be compared with national norms. Specific questionnaires are reviewed, and recommendations for further reading are offered.

Collaborating for Family Safety: Results From the Greenbook Multisite Evaluation

"This special issue of the Journal of Interpersonal Violence features results from a multisite developmental evaluation of best practices at the intersection of child maltreatment and adult domestic violence."

Collaborative Efforts to Improve System Response to Families Who Are Experiencing Child Maltreatment and Domestic Violence

This article explains the importance of collaborative efforts to responding to families experiencing domestic violence and child maltreatment. The Greenbook Initiative provided a framework for developing a multisystem collaborative approach to working with families.

Corporal punishment as a Stressor Among Youth (pdf)

"This article addresses the impact of corporal punishment by parents on the psychological well being of youth. Based on the authors' findings, the research indicates a positive association between the frequency of corporal punishment and both psychological distress and depression."

Corporal Punishment by Parents and Associated Child Behaviors and Experiences: A Meta-Analytic and Theoretical Review (pdf)

"The author presents the results of meta-analyses of the association between parental corporal punishment and 11 child behaviors and experiences. Parental corporal punishment was associated with all child constructs, including higher levels of immediate compliance and aggression and lower levels of moral internalization and mental health. The author then presents a process– context model to explain how parental corporal punishment might cause particular child outcomes and considers alternative explanations. The article concludes by identifying 7 major remaining issues for future research."

Corporal Punishment in Adolescence and Physical Assaults on Spouses in Later Life: What Accounts for the Link? (pdf)

"Using data on 4,401 couples who participated in the National Family Violence Survey, this article reports modeling of cultural norms or other processes that could account for the link between corporal punishment and partner violence. Because corporal punishment of adolescents occurs in over half of U.S. families, the findings suggest that elimination of this practice can reduce some of the psychological and social processes that increase the likelihood of future marital violence and perhaps other violence as well."

Creating Social Change in Cyberspace: 10 Years Strong

Article published by the University of Minnesota Gateway to Reseach & Innovations regarding the success of the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse in providing knowledge to prevent violence.

Crimes Against Children by Babysitters

7-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin, part of OJJDP's Crimes Against Children Series, draws on the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System to provide data on the frequency and nature of crimes against children committed by babysitters.

Culturally Competent Service Provision to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Survivors of Sexual Violence (pdf)

"This Applied Research paper provides a review of the research focusing on LGBT survivors of sexual trauma and offers recommendations for culturally competent service provision to LGBT clients."

Danger Zone: Battered Mothers and Their Families in Supervised Visitation

"This paper outlines research conducted at a supervised visitation center specifically for serving families where domestic violence was the primary reason for referral. The authors have classified their experiences based on these main subjects: battered women in supervised visitation, how battering continues during supervised visitation, how the rules of the supervised visitation center evolved during the first 18 months of implementation, the importance of well-trained visit monitors, and the need to include supervised visitation centers within a larger context of coordinated community responses to domestic violence."

Developmental Repair: A Training Manual (pdf)

Washburn Center for Children has recently completed a training manual on Developmental Repair – the treatment framework that has been developed and implemented in their Day Treatment Program under the clinical leadership of Anne Gearity PhD, LICSW. It is an intensive treatment model for working with young children who have experienced complex trauma and present with aggressive and disruptive symptoms.

Developmental Status and Early Intervention Service Needs of Maltreated Children (pdf)

"In this report, published by the Institute for Social and Economic Development, the authors analyze findings from the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study and the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. They provide information about the developmental status and early intervention service needs of children under age three who are substantiated for maltreatment. Topics include: 1) the extent to which maltreated children have developmental problems or are subject to factors associated with poor developmental outcomes; 2) the services maltreated children might be eligible for and ones they receive through the child welfare systems; 3) case characteristics, such as child welfare setting, that impact the effect of developmental services; and 4) existing barriers to services."

Dissociative symptoms in relation to childhood physical and sexual abuse

"This study found that subjects with a history of childhood abuse reported higher levels of dissociative symptoms than those who did not."

Do Children Sexually Abuse Other Children? (pdf)

This is a piece of education material intended for all audiences that overviews childhood sexual abuse and the high incidence rates of children under the age of 18 years that are perpetrators.

Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Services

Statistics and links to helpful resources and information related to child welfare and domestic violence are provided in this document.

Domestic Violence and Children: Creating a Public Response (pdf)

The authors of this paper address children's exposure to domestic violence as a factor in healthy development. Research findings suggest that children who witness domestic violence are often unnoticed and underserved by other agencies in the community. Principles serving as a guiding framework for policy and service are outlined, as well as recommendations for communities and governmental bodies to help children experiencing domestic violence.

Early Identification of Risk Factors for Parental Abduction (pdf)

12-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The bulletin provides information regarding the risk factors associated with parental kidnaping and strategies that can be used to intervene with families at greatest risk. They address such critical factors as the characteristics of parents who abduct their own children, the role family violence plays in increasing the likelihood of parental abduction, ways of identifying children at risk of being abducted by a parent or other family member, and steps that can be taken to protect children from family abduction.

Effective Intervention in Domestic Violence & Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policy & Practice (pdf)

This 133 page publication addresses a number of issues relevant to family violence within the home and the community and specifically focuses on interventions.

Eliminating Violence against Children (pdf)

"Jointly produced by UNICEF and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, this handbook describes measures parliamentarians can take to end violence against children: they can legislate, oversee government activities, allocate financial resources and, as leaders in their nations and communities, raise awareness of issues."

Ending Violence Against Women

"Highlights the 2 most prevalent types of abuse in the lives of women and girls around the world: intimate partner violence and rape. Demonstrates how world-wide gender-based violence is a major public health concern, suggesting strategies to respond."

Ethnic differences in circumstances of abuse and symptoms of depression and anger among sexually abused Black and Latino boys

"The present study was designed to examine the extent to which ethnic differences in the circumstances of abuse would be related to psychological outcomes and whether the relationship of ethnicity to psychological outcomes would be independent of ethnic differences in the circumstances of abuse."

Evaluation of Lifetime Trauma Exposure and Physical Health in Women With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder

"This study examines lifetime trauma exposure rates in women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), or neither diagnosis and whether this is related to measures of PTSD, depression, hostility, health symptoms, and health care utilization. Findings indicate that multiple trauma exposures were prevalent in this sample and PTSD and MDD groups reported greater past year health conditions and health care utilization."

Family Violence Statistics: Including Statistics on Strangers and Acquaintances

This study compares family and nonfamily violence statistics from victimization through the different stages of the justice system. Family violence is defined as all types of violent crime committed by an offender who is related to the victim and includes spouse abuse, parental violence against a child, and violence among other family members. Nonfamily relationships used for comparison include boyfriends and girlfriends, friends and acquaintances, and strangers. Data are drawn from victimization surveys, official police statistics, State and Federal court statistics, and surveys of inmates in State prisons and local jails.

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical exploration

"This publication analyzes available statistics on female genital mutilation/cutting, with the aim of improving understanding of related issues in the wider context of gender equality and social change."

Hate, Violence, and Death on Main Street USA: A report on Hate Crimes and Violence Against People Experiencing Homelessness 2008 (pdf)

A new report from the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) contains case descriptions of each attack that includes sexual assault. The report notes that because crimes committed against homeless persons often go unreported, the actual numbers of non-lethal attacks is likely much higher. Rapes and sexual assaults also tend to go unreported. The report recommends that state legislatures add homeless persons as a “protected class” to hate crime legislation, and encourages police trainings so law enforcement officers will better understand homelessness and how to prevent hate crimes.

Healthy Marriage and the Legacy of Child Maltreatment: A Child Welfare Perspective (pdf)

"This brief explores how childhood experiences, specifically child maltreatment and involvement with the child welfare system, impact the potential for a healthy, lasting marriage. The author also offers recommendations for addressing the unique needs of couples in which one or both partners have experienced childhood maltreatment."

Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Treatment Foster Care (pdf)

The guide highlights valuable information, references, resources, and tools for implementing Evidence-based Practices (EBPs) in Treatment Foster Care (TFC) service settings. The Resource Guide identifies specific models, interventions, and tools that TFC providers can use to deliver effective services to the children, youth, and families in their care. It also provides “how-to” information to help TFC providers successfully implement desired EBPs in their programs.

Impulsive Corporal Punishment by Mothers and Antisocial Behavior and Impulsiveness of Children

"This study tested the hypothesis that corporal punish- ment (CP), such as spanking or slapping a child for purposes of correcting misbehavior, is associated with antisocial behavior (ASB) and impulsiveness by the child. It was found that the more CP experienced by the child, the greater the tendency for the child to engage in ASB and to act impulsively. The results of this study suggest that CP is an important risk factor for children developing a pattern of impulsive and antisocial behavior which, in turn, may contribute to the level of violence and other crime in society."

Intimate or Childhood Sexual Abuse and Obesity in Kentucky

This study concluded that sexual abuse, whether experienced as an adult or child, was associated with a 32% increase in obesity among 4,391 women in Kentucky. The study also found that intimate partner violence and obesity are common health threats for women. The authors suggest that efforts to prevent physical and sexual abuse and mental health consequences of abuse on victims can have implications to improve women's health.

Kidnaping of Juveniles: Patterns From NIBRS

8-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin describes the offense of kidnaping of juveniles using 1997 NIBRS data. Among other significant findings, the analysis reveals that such abductions are relatively uncommon; that there are three distinct kinds of perpetrators; and that the rate of juvenile kidnaping peaks in the afternoon.

Kids Count Census Data Online

This system of KIDS COUNT compiled indicators of child well-being released by the 2000 U.S. Census has been updated as of October, 2001 with select data from the 2000 Census Short-Form (Census SF1). New data is available for: Age and Sex; Race; Hispanic Origin Status; and Living arrangements. New geographic regions include: The United States; Individual states; The nation's largest cities; Counties; Metropolitan areas; Congressional districts (for the 106th congress); and New England Towns.

Making the Case for Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: An Overview of Cost Effective Prevention Strategies (pdf)

"This report from the FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention provides and overview of a range of prevention strategies that have been found to have some evidence of being able to preventing child abuse and neglect. "

Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse

"The mission of the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (MINCAVA) is to support research, education, and access to violence related resources."

Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later (pdf)

"This second groundbreaking national survey of 1,500 youth aged 10 to 17 documented their use of the Internet and experiences while online including unwanted exposure to sexual solicitation, sexual material, and harassment. It was produced in cooperation with OJJDP and the University of New Hampshire’s Crimes against Children Research Center and includes recommendations to help make the Internet safer for children."

Parental Alienation Syndrome and Parental Alienation: Research Reviews (pdf)

This VAWnet document provides a historical and research overview of Parental Alienation Syndrome and Parental Alienation, identifies strategic issues for advocates working with victims, and offers guidelines to improve courts’ treatment of these issues.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Sri Lankan University Students as a Consequence of Their Exposure to Family Violence

"A study on the association between exposure to family violence during childhood and adolescence and adult posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings indicate that the more participants witnessed and experienced family violence, the more they exhibited PTSD symptoms. Findings also indicate that participants’ exposure to family violence explains a significant amount of the variance in their PTSD over and above the variance that can be attributed to their sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, number of siblings, and family’s socioeconomic status) and to their perceptions of the environment and functioning of their families. The limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed."

Preventing violence and reducing its impact: How development agencies can help (pdf)

This document makes the case for increased attention on the impact of violence on development by international development agencies. A key aim is to stimulate dialogue on the role of international development agencies in the prevention of violence globally, and ultimately to increase investment in a commonly agreed set of applied violence prevention strategies. The primary audience for this document is policy-makers, high-level planners, and others in the international development field.

Preventing Violence the Problem-Solving Way

April 1999. Analyzes intervention methods based on the hypothesis that behavior can be modified by focusing on thought processes rather than on behaviors.

Profiting from abuse: An investigation into the sexual exploitation of children (pdf)

"Highlights ways children are sexually exploited around the world, factors contributing to this exploitation, and responses various states, communities, organizations, and individuals have taken to respond to/prevent/decrease child sexual exploitation."

Prostitution of Children and Child-Sex Tourism: An Analysis of Domestic and International Responses (pdf)

"This paper addresses both domestic and international responses to the prostitution of children within the United States and abroad. The author highlights policy and practice issues regarding the legal system and social-service responses to prostituted children."

Psychological Abuse: A Discussion Paper (pdf)

"This paper is a review of research on psychological abuse in interpersonal and family relationships including in settings such as long-term care residences.The paper presents research findings on the personal, economic and health related costs of psychological abuse to the individual and to society, and briefly outlines legal recourses for victims. It concludes by exploring ways to recognize and address psychological abuse, while emphasizing the importance of developing holistic approaches "

Psychological Profiles of Internet Sexual Offenders: Comparisons With Contact Sexual Offenders

"A sample of Internet sex offenders and contact sex offenders were compared on a range of psychological measures relating to offense-supportive beliefs, empathic concern, interpersonal functioning, and emotional management. Among several findings, results indicated that contact offenders were found to have significantly more victim empathy distortions and cognitive distortions than Internet offenders. Internet offenders were found to have significantly higher identification with fictional characters than contact offenders. The findings are discussed in the context of the etiology of sexual offending and the authors also give recommendations for further research on this population."

Religious Influence on Parental Attitudes Toward the Use of Corporal Punishment (pdf)

"The purpose of this research was to determine if persons affiliated with religious denominations which emphasized a literal belief in the Bible would demonstrate less appropriate attitudes with regard to disciplining children than their counterparts who were affiliated with religious denominations which do not subscribe to a literal interpretation of the Bible. Statistically significant differences were noted with persons, regardless of gender or their level of education, who were members of churches subscribing to a literal belief in the Bible preferring the use of corporal punishment over alternate methods of discipline as compared to their nonliteral counterparts."

RESEARCH INDICATING THAT THE MAJORITY OF CASES THAT GO TO COURT AS "HIGH CONFLICT" CONTESTED CUSTODY CASES HAVE A HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

This document, comprised of research from many leading experts in the field of domestic violence, lays out the case that the majority of high conflict child custody disputes have a history of domestic violence.

Review of Research On Child Maltreatment and Violence in Youth

"This review addresses research regarding associations between child maltreatment and youth violence perpetration. The authors explore current findings on the direct effects of child maltreatment on later youth violence and possible gender and ethnic differences. The study concluded that the most consistent predictor of youth violence is physical abuse."

Second Comprehensive Study of Missing Children

A 6-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The design of the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART 2) study is described in this Bulletin, which outlines how it will provide vital data on the incidence of missing children in seven categories: runaway/thrownaway, nonfamily abduction, family abduction, custodial interference, lost and involuntarily missing, missing due to injury, missing due to false alarm situations, as well as children who have been sexually assaulted.

Security Begins at Home (pdf)

The Kosova Women’s Network released the country’s first study on domestic violence, called Security Begins at Home. The report highlights key points such as: what the citizens of Kosovo perceive as domestic violence, the forms and consequences of domestic violence, citizens' response to ending it, and the legal and institutional gaps in addressing it.

Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics (pdf)

Presents findings from the National Incident-Based Reporting System regarding sexual assault, especially young children.

Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescents Maltreated Before Age 12: A Prospective Investigation (pdf)

"This study found that maltreatment (regardless of type) predicts sexual intercourse by 14 and 16. Emotional distress explains the relationship by 14. By 16, other factors likely contribute to intercourse. Maltreated children are at risk for early initiation of sexual intercourse and sexually active adolescents should be evaluated for possible maltreatment."

Sexual Violence Research Agenda

"The Sexual Violence Research Initiative recently published the Sexual Violence Research Agenda. The publication recognizes eight key focus areas for research: nature, prevalence, social context and risk factors associated with sexual violence; appropriateness and effectiveness of sexual violence services; sexual violence prevention; sexual violence and restorative justice; sexual violence in conflict and emergency settings; child sexual abuse; human trafficking for sexual exploitation; and female genital cutting."

Sexually Assaulted Children - National Estimates and Characteristics (pdf)

"This bulletin provides information on the estimated number and characteristics of children who were sexually assaulted in the United States in 1999, based on interviews with victims and their families. It also presents statistical profiles of these children, including their demographic characteristics, according to the Second National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART-2.)"

Shattered Hearts: The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of American Indian Women and Girls in Minnesota (pdf)

A groundbreaking report released by the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) highlights the alarming and pervasive sex trafficking of American Indian women and girls in Minnesota. The first comprehensive report of its kind, it highlights risk factors for victims that include poverty, a disproportionate number of American Indian homeless, high incidences of overall sexual assault, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and pervasive multi-generational trauma.

Starting Smart: How Early Experiences Affect Brain Development

"This report provides a straightforward summary of the interactions between early brain development, childhood emotional experiences and trauma. Drawing from this research, it concludes by making a case for increased services to counter the disadvantages faced by children who experience trauma or neglect."

Statistics Surrounding Child Sexual Abuse

"This one-pager presents statistics surrounding the issue of child sexual abuse."

The Costs Of Child Abuse vs. Child Abuse Prevention: Michigan's Experience

This report is a cost-benefit analysis of child abuse prevention.

The Decline in Child Sexual Abuse Cases (pdf)

This document presents evidence about the decline in reported and substantiated child sexual abuse cases since the early 1990’s. Several explanations for the decline are considered, and corresponding policy implications are discussed.

The Economic Dimensions of Interpersonal Violence (pdf)

This document examines the economic effects of interpersonal violence, including sexual violence, as well as the economic effects of interventions seeking to reduce violence and the ways in which economic factors such as poverty and income inequality contribute to violence.

The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan

"This document summarizes the available research on childhood stress and its long-term consequences. Of particular interest is the stress caused by child abuse, neglect, and repeated exposure to intimate partner violence."

The Epidemiology of Trauma and Trauma-Related Disorders in Children and Youth (pdf)

"This publication reviews general population studies, disaster research, child maltreatment studies, and special population studies that report the prevalence of PTSD in children, adolescents, and young adults. It includes a brief discussion of the cumulative adverse effects of traumatic stress experienced from infancy through adolescence."

THE EXPOSURE OF YOUTH TO UNWANTED SEXUAL MATERIAL ON THE INTERNET A National Survey of Risk, Impact, and Prevention (pdf)

"This national survey of youth, ages 10 to 17, and their caretakers has several implications for the current debate about young people and Internet pornography. Twenty five percent of youth had unwanted exposure to sexual pictures on the Internet in the past year, challenging the prevalent assumption that the problem is primarily about young people motivated to actively seek out pornography. Most youth had no negative reactions to their unwanted exposure, but one quarter said they were very or extremely upset, suggesting a priority need for more research on and interventions directed toward such negative effects. The authors urge that social scientific research be undertaken to inform this highly contentious public policy controversy."

The Extensive Sexual Violation and Sexual Abuse Histories of Incarcerated Women

"This study used the Sexual Abuse Checklist (designed by the first author) and a modified version of the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) to obtain a detailed account of 391 incarcerated women's self-reported sexual violation and abuse histories. Seventy percent of the women reported at least one violation consistent with what qualifies as "rape" in most states in the United States today, and half of the women reported child sexual abuse victimization. The most prevalent victim–offender relationships were male strangers, male lovers or boyfriends, male dates, husbands, uncles, brothers, male cousins, and stepfathers."

The Facts About Child Sex Tourism (pdf)

"This fact sheet includes a definition of child sex tourism, both the global and U.S. response, and suggestions for what governments, citizens and business can do to combat child sex tourism."

The Impact of Conflict on Women and Girls in West and Central Africa and the UNICEF response (pdf)

"This first-of-its-kind study by UNICEF on the situation of war-affected girls and women in the region highlights innovative programmes being implemented with partners to address the impact of conflict, and recommends how UNICEF can more proactively champion the rights of girls - particularly adolescent girls."

The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: America’s Prostituted Children (pdf)

"The report reveals findings of three years of intensive research on the issue of child sex trafficking in America from ten locations across the U.S. The study found that at least 100,000 children are used in prostitution every year in the United States and that the average age of entry into prostitution is 13 years old. Also, prostituted girls are often controlled by a pimp who recruits them into sex trafficking by posing as a boyfriend, caretaker, and protector."

The Prevalence and Circumstances of Child Sexual Abuse among Latina Women

"This study examined the prevalence and circumstances of child sexual abuse in a community sample of Latina women, 18 to 50 years of age. Chi-square tests of independence and t-test procedures were used to assess the prevalence, characteristics of the victim, assault, perpetrator, disclosure, and long-term effects. One in three Latina women reported incidents of sexual abuse, regardless of acculturation or citizenship status. More than one third of the women also experienced revictimization, with more than 80% of initial incidents occurring from the age of 7 years. Treatment implications and community-based interventions for Latina survivors of child sexual abuse are discussed."

The prevalence of child sexual abuse: Integrative review adjustment for potential response and measurement biases

"This integrative review synthesizes the findings of 16 cross-sectional surveys (25 hypotheses) on the prevalence of child abuse among nonclinical, North American samples. Given the large human costs, both personal and social, of child abuse, and the identified gap in the requisite knowledge needed to steer effective preventive and treatment interventions, it is time to invest in a large, methodologically rigorous, population-based study of child abuse which, if it does nothing else, spares no expense in ensuring very high participation."

The Psychological Maltreatment of Children -Technical Report (2002)

"Psychological maltreatment is a common consequence of physical and sexual abuse but also may occur as a distinct entity. Until recently, there has been controversy regarding the definition and consequences of psychological maltreatment. Sufficient research and consensus now exist about the incidence, definition, risk factors, and consequences of psychological maltreatment."

The Relationship Between Domestic Violence and Child Abuse (pdf)

"Cites surveys and reports published between 1987 and 1996, briefly describing: what is domestic violence; what is child abuse; how does domestic violence affect children; and similarities/correlations between domestic violence and/or child abuse."

The Relationship Between Violence in the Family of Origin and Dating Violence Among College Students

"This research examines the relationship between experiencing and perpetrating dating violence and exposure to violence in the family of origin. Specifically, the current research examines gender differences in the relationship between exposure to violence during childhood and physical and psychological abuse perpetration and victimization. The implications of the current research on policy are discussed."

The Role of Educators in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect (pdf)

This manual, designed to examine the roles that teachers, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, special education professionals, administrators, and other school personnel have in helping maltreated children, provides the basis for the involvement of educators in combating the problem of child abuse and neglect. It also may be used by other professionals involved in child abuse and neglect interventions, such as child protective services, mental health, law enforcement, health care, and early childhood professionals, to gain a better understanding of the role of educators in child protection.

The Safe Start Center Series on Children Exposed to Violence: Pediatric Care Settings (pdf)

This issue brief translates emerging research and program practice into action steps for practitioners in pediatric care settings to design and implement programs that meet the needs of children who are exposed to violence.

The State of the World's Children 2009 Report

"The State of the World's Children 2009 examines critical issues in maternal and newborn health, underscoring the need to establish a comprehensive continuum of care for mothers, newborns and children. The report outlines the latest paradigms in health programming and policies for mothers and newborns, and explores policies, programmes and partnerships aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health. Africa and Asia are a key focus for this report, which complements the previous year's issue on child survival."

The Structured Decision Making Model: An Evidenced-based Approach to Human Services

Structured Decision Making (SDM) is an evidence-based model designed to help agencies and caseworkers make accurate risk assessments about families and children. A new guide from the Children's Research Center (CRC), a division of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, reviews the principles of the SDM model and provides updated information on its use in jurisdictions around the country.

The Traumatic Impact of Child Sexual Abuse: A Conceptualization (pdf)

"In this paper a framework is proposed for a more systematic understanding of the effects of child sexual abuse. Four traumagenic dynamics – traumatic sexualization, betrayal, stigmatization, and powerlessness – are identified as the core of the psychological injury inflicted by abuse. These dynamics can be used to make assessments of victimized children and to anticipate problems to which these children may be vulnerable subsequently. Implications for research are also considered."

The Use of Expert Testimony on Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)

"This Applied Research paper presents an overview of the uses of expert testimony, the qualifications and roles of experts, the literature on the use of testimony on the effects of battering, and considerations for future research."

To Spank or Not To Spank: The Effect of Situation and Age of Child on Support for Corporal Punishment (pdf)

"This study examined college students' attitudes toward spanking as a function of the situational context and age of the child. Respondents were more likely to find spanking appropriate for preschool (ages 3–4) and early school age children (ages 7–8) than for older children (ages 11–12). Physical punishment was also viewed as more suitable when the child's misbehavior was disrespectful, or violated strongly held norms, and less appropriate for age-related or less serious misbehavior. Gender and race differences emerged, with males and blacks showing more support for corporal punishment than females and whites. In general, findings revealed strong support for spanking, although there was evidence of some ambivalence, especially among white and female respondents. Implications of the findings are discussed."

Trafficking in Persons Report 2009 (pdf)

"The ninth annual report seeks to increase global awareness of the human trafficking phenomenon by shedding new light on various facets of the problem and highlighting shared and individual efforts of the international community, and to encourage foreign governments to take effective action against all forms of trafficking in persons."

Transforming Communities to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: A Primary Prevention Approach (pdf)

"This policy brief presents the distilled research and critical thinking of a diverse group of local and national experts in the field of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Via candid dialog and interviews, these leaders developed and prioritized primary prevention strategies, analyzed environmental factors and norms that perpetuate these problems, and outlined policies and practices for transforming our communities and our nation during these turbulent political and economic times."

Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children

This measurement tool was published in 1996, after several years of research. It is a self-reporting tool geared toward children ages 8 to 16. There are fifty items, with several sub-scales including anxiety, depression, anger, PTSD, dissociation, and sexual concerns. The TSCC was designed to address traumatic events in general, meaning that it does not specifically address domestic violence. Nonetheless this checklist can be to gauge the impact domestic violence may have on a child. The actual questionnaire is copyrighted, but you may access it by contacting the publisher, Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc. at P.O. Box 998, Odessa, FL 33556. Telephone number: (800) 331-TEST.

U.N. Report of the independent expert for the United Nations study on violence against children (pdf)

"This report provides a global picture of violence against children and proposes recommendations to prevent and respond to this issue. It provides information on the incidence of various types of violence against children within the family, schools, alternative care institutions and detention facilities, places where children work and communities. "

UN study on Violence Against Children

"A press release on a new effort to provide a detailed global picture of the nature, extent and causes of violence against children, and propose clear recommendations for action to prevent and reduce such violence. The study focuses on violence against children in five settings: the home and family, schools and educational settings, other institutional settings (orphanages, children in conflict with the law), the community and on the streets, and work situations. "

Understanding and Preventing Violence

"Discusses the findings of the National Academy of Sciences Panel on the Understanding and Control of Violent Behavior, established to review the current status of research in violence."

Understanding Children’s Exposure to Violence (pdf)

The Safe Start Center has developed a series of briefs on Children Exposed to Violence. The briefs are developed to respond to an urgent need to translate research-based information and disseminate it to practitioners who can use it in their work with children and families in different settings. This particular brief describes core concepts—gleaned from research and program practice—used in designing and implementing programs that address children’s exposure to violence.

Understanding National Rape Statistics (pdf)

"This Applied Research paper provides an overview of how estimates of sexual violence in the United States are produced, with particular emphasis on major sources of rape statistics at the national level."

Using Evidence-Based Parenting Programs to Advance CDC Efforts in Child Maltreatment Prevention—Research Brief 2004 (pdf)

CDC has launched several prevention initiatives aimed at encouraging and promoting positive parent-child interactions. These initiatives are summarized in Using Evidence-Based Parenting Programs to Advance CDC Efforts in Child Maltreatment Prevention—Research Brief 2004. The initiatives result from extensive strategic planning and consultation with child maltreatment prevention experts and promote positive parenting skills. By acquiring such skills, parents and caregivers can better manage children’s behavior and prevent violence before it occurs.

Violence Against Girls in Conflict with the Law

This article documents the particular vulnerability to sexual abuse and rape of girls who come into contact with police and juvenile justice systems in various countries.

Violence Against Women: Classic Papers

The purpose of this project was to assemble some of the classic works in the field of violence against women so that new generations of students, practitioners, and researchers would have a collective understanding of the work that has shaped the field. Included are also commentaries from the original authors, when available, reflecting on why they authored the work when they did and the influence of their work on the field.

Violence During Pregnancy in Jordan: Its Prevalence and Associated Risk and Protective Factors

"This study estimates the lifetime prevalence of physical violence during pregnancy and examines risk and protective factors among women (N = 390) attending reproductive health clinics in Jordan. A high frequency of quarreling, the husband's use of alcohol, attitudes supportive of a woman's duty to obey her husband, infrequent communication between the respondent and her family, and exposure to violence as a child increased the risk of violence. Consanguinity (marriage to a blood relative) and higher education levels were protective against violence during pregnancy."

Violence in the Lives of Children (pdf)

"This data brief from Child Trends reviews data on the types of violence experienced by U.S. children, including exposure to violence through media to abuse by parents and peers. Differences by age, gender, and race/ethnicity are discussed along with priorities for filling gaps in the data that is available on this topic."

World Report on Violence against Children

"This book addresses all violence against children within the family, schools, alternative care institutions and detention facilities, places where children work and communities. It lists the relevant international and national legal instruments and standards. It also describes the nature and impact of all forms of violence, indicating possible risk and causal factors. Finally, and most important, based on existing evidence and concrete examples, it provides detailed recommendation on measures to be taken to enhance the protection of children from violence."

Young Children's Exposure to Adult Domestic Violence: Toward a Developmental Risk and Resilience Framework for Research and Intervention (pdf)

This paper is part of series of paper that addresses the way to mobilize community and programatic resources to provide responsive help to children and families affected both by domestic violence and poverty. This particular paper addresses impacts of adult domestic violence to young children through developmental risk and resiliency.

Young People’s Voices on Child Trafficking: Experiences from South Eastern Europe (pdf)

"The UNICEF Innocenti Centre (formally known as the International Child Development Centre) based in Florence, Italy, released a report in December 2008 on child trafficking. The report is based on interviews with 31 individuals in Albania, Kosovo, Republic of Moldova and Romania who had been trafficked when under the age of 18. It details children’s experiences with trafficking and support services. "