{"id":28462,"date":"2025-02-24T13:42:32","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T18:42:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/?page_id=28462"},"modified":"2026-07-03T16:15:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T20:15:41","slug":"preventing-sexual-abuse","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/education-training\/preventing-sexual-abuse\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventing Child Sexual Abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":46,"featured_media":0,"parent":1176,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-28462","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"lead_in":"","display_title":"Preventing Child Sexual Abuse","subtitle":"","call_to_action":"","hero_image_placement":"right_image","hero_media":"images","hero_pattern_option":"","hero_video":"","hero_image_landing":28532,"hero_image_landing_two":"","hero_image_landing_three":"","content_modules":[{"acf_fc_layout":"media_text_new","anchor":"","class":"","overline":"","title":"<h2>Safe &amp; Strong\u00a9 Training<\/h2>","content":"Safe &amp; Strong\u00a9 is a new, 100% online training for parents, caregivers, and concerned adults to prevent child sexual abuse and promote online safety. Safe &amp; Strong\u00a9 will be available Summer 2026. Read more about the new program in our flyer below. For more details and questions about training access, contact Jennie Noll at <a href=\"mailto:Jennie_Noll@URMC.Rochester.edu\">Jennie_Noll@URMC.Rochester.edu<\/a>.","cta":"","bg":"#ffffff","type":"image","image":33772,"embed":"","video":"","layout":"left","animation":"animation-false"},{"acf_fc_layout":"interstitial","anchor_id":"","classes":"","layout":"layout_stacked","lead-in":"","title":"<h2>Completing the Safe &amp; Strong Training now?<\/h2>","content":"Use our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Safe-Strong-Workbook-FINAL.pdf\">accompanying workbook<\/a> to follow along! This way, you'll have a handy record of what you learned, space to reflect, and a resource to revisit as the children in your life grow and change.","call_to_action":{"title":"Access the Workbook","url":"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Safe-Strong-Workbook-FINAL.pdf","target":""},"bg_color":"#ffc70a"},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":"<h5>Resources For Children's Online Safety<\/h5>","description":"","background":"decorative","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"yes","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Conversation Starters & General Online Safety Information ","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Online-Conversation-starters.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Conversation Starters for Online Safety\u00a0<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.missingkids.org\/netsmartz\/resources#tipsheets\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">NetSmartz Tip Sheets<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Tools for Privacy & Monitoring","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/connectsafely.org\/parentguides\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">ConnectSafely- Parent Guides for Online Safety<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:5760,&quot;335559731&quot;:720}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.saffroncentre.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Parental-Controls-New-Handout-Rebranded.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Parental Controls Handbook- Current Popular Apps<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:5760,&quot;335559731&quot;:720}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Signs of Online Grooming ","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW218006219 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Online-Signs-of-Abuse-or-grooming.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW218006219 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW218006219 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Signs of Online Grooming<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW218006219 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"EOP Selected SCXW218006219 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"AI & Kids' Safety","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW43826831 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.missingkids.org\/content\/dam\/netsmartz\/downloadable\/tipsheets\/ai-and-child-safety-online-guide-parents_caregiver.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW43826831 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW43826831 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">NetSmartz- AI and Child Safety<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"EOP Selected SCXW43826831 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"What To Do If Your Child's Image is Already Online","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/report.cybertip.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">CyberTipline- Report Online Exploitation <\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/takeitdown.ncmec.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Take it Down- Remove Explicit Images From The Internet \u00a0<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:5760,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":"<h5>Healthy Sexual Development<\/h5>","description":"","background":"decorative","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"yes","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Normal Development vs Problematic Sexual Behavior","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Problematic-Sexual-Behaviors_updated-compressed.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Normal Development versus Problematic Sexual Behavior Fact Sheet<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/safekidsthrive.org\/about\/problematic-sexual-behavior\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">SafeKidsThrive- Additional Information on Problematic Sexual Behavior<\/span><\/a> <span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dakotacac.org\/services\/psb\/what-is-problematic-sexual-behavior\/#1519768867471-c2326518-59e5\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dakota CAC Resources for Problematic Sexual Behaviors<\/span><\/a> <span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:5760,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"What To Do If Your Child Encounters Pornography","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Conversations-about-pornography.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Pornography Fact Sheet\u00a0<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:7200,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonsensemedia.org\/articles\/talking-with-teens-and-preteens-about-pornography\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\"Common Sense Media \"Tips for Talking to Kids about Pornography<\/span><\/a> <span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Talking to Teens about Safe Sex & Consent","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Safe-Sex-Conversations.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Safe Sex Fact Sheet<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:3600,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kidshealth.org\/en\/parents\/development-foyer.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">KidsHealth- Tips for Parents and Kids- Talking About Health<\/span><\/a> <span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":"<h5>Child Safety Resources<\/h5>","description":"","background":"decorative","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"yes","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Common Signs of Grooming ","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW162944292 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Signs-of-Grooming_.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW162944292 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW162944292 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Common Signs of Grooming<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW162944292 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"EOP Selected SCXW162944292 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Vetting Babysitters\/Child Care Workers","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Babysitters_questions.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Questions to Ask Babysitters\u00a0<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/guides\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">CARE.com - Childcare Guides<\/span><\/a> <span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:5760,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Signs of Child Sexual Abuse","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW135871808 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Signs-of-Abuse_.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW135871808 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRest CommentHighlightRest SCXW135871808 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Signs of Abuse<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest SCXW135871808 BCX8\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"EOP Selected SCXW135871808 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:6480,&quot;335559731&quot;:720}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"What To Do If A Child Discloses They Have Been Abused ","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Responding-to-abuse.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Responding to CSA disclosure<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:5760,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalchildrensalliance.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">National Children's Alliance- Find a CAC near you <\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:5040,&quot;335559731&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.childwelfare.gov\/state-child-abuse-and-neglect-reporting-numbers\/?rt=795\"><strong>Child Abuse Reporting Hotlines by St<\/strong><strong>ate<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":"<h5>Family Safety Planning<\/h5>","description":"","background":"decorative","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"yes","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Family Safety Planning ","icon":"","row_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Family-Safety-Plan-Template_.pdf\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Family Safety Plan Template <\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Family-Safety-Plan-Template.pdf\">Sample Completed Family Safety Plans<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","accordion_anchor":""}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"interstitial","anchor_id":"","classes":"","layout":"layout_stacked","lead-in":"","title":"<h2>How to prevent child sexual abuse<\/h2>","content":"Listen to Jennie Noll\u2019s tips for parents on how to protect their children. A psychology professor at the University of Rochester and the executive director of Mt. Hope Family Center, Noll is an expert on preventing childhood sexual abuse.","call_to_action":{"title":"Go to Podcast","url":"https:\/\/yourparentingmojo.com\/captivate-podcast\/sexualabuse\/","target":""},"bg_color":"#ffc70a"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"<h2>What is Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)?<\/h2>","content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li>Child Sexual Abuse can be defined as any type of sexual activity involving a child. This can include physical contact such as fondling and rape. However, CSA also encompasses non-contact forms of abuse such as exposing oneself to a child, showing a child sexual content, and photographing a child in explicit positions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>CSA is also defined by coercion and secrecy. Over <b>90%<\/b> of perpetrators are known and trusted by the child and their family.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>While many predators know the child they target in real life, predators are also increasingly grooming children online via social media.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<b><i>What is CSA\u2019s impact?<\/i><\/b>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The CDC estimates that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys experience some type of sexual abuse before the age of 18. <b>However, these figures are likely much higher as many cases go unreported.<\/b><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Child Sexual Abuse is a serious public health problem that can have severe physical and mental health consequences such as increased risk for heart disease, obesity, cancer, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>In 2015, the total lifetime economic burden of child sexual abuse was estimated to be at least $9.3 billion.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<b><i>Know the signs<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nCSA can be difficult to spot. It is important that you are able to identify both physical and behavioral markers that may indicate sexual abuse.\r\n\r\n<b><i>Physical signs<\/i><\/b>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Bleeding, bruises or swelling in the genital or anal regions<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Bruises on roof of mouth<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Bloody, torn or stained underclothes<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Difficulty walking or standing<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Frequent urinary or yeast infections<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Pain, itching or burning in the genital area<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<b><i>Behavioral signs<\/i><\/b>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Secrecy around devices and online habits<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sudden changes in internet use, such as using devices late at night, at increased frequency, or only in private<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Changes in hygiene- either refusing to bathe or bathing excessively<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sexual knowledge or behaviors that are not developmentally appropriate<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Nightmares or bed-wetting<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Trouble in school<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Unusually withdrawn or aggressive<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Overly protective and concerned for siblings, potentially assuming a caretaker role<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Returns to regressive behaviors, like thumb sucking<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Runs away from home or school<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Receives special attention from an adult or older peer - such as gifts, one-on-one practices, excessive compliments<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Suddenly loses interest in an activity or expresses not wanting to see an individual<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThis is nowhere near an exhaustive list. Every child may react differently. What is most important is that you are listening to your child and noticing if any of these concerns come up.\r\n\r\n<b>How to talk to your child:<\/b>\r\n\r\nYour strongest line of defense for protecting your child from sexual abuse is an open and trusting relationship. An open line of communication with your child enables them to come to you for guidance <i>before <\/i>something serious happens.\r\n\r\nWhen sexual topics come up with your child:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Be open and receptive to their questions and concerns<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Provide truthful and accurate information about sex, relationships, and online safety<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Assure them that you will always be there to support them, answer their questions, and believe them<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nTeaching your child about sex isn\u2019t just about \u201cThe Talk\u201d or one big overwhelming conversation. Taking everyday opportunities to teach children about their bodies, boundaries, and relationships can help keep your child safe. You should also strive to have regular and open conversations about their internet use and online safety.\r\n\r\nOther practical steps you can take to protect your child from sexual abuse include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Teach your child accurate anatomical names for body parts, including their genitals<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Learn to identify the difference between developmentally appropriate curiosity and concerning behaviors<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Teach your child about consent and how to enforce their boundaries when they feel uncomfortable<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Learn what signs of grooming behaviors look like, trust your gut, and intervene to protect your child when necessary<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Model healthy internet use and moderation<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Talk openly to your child about how they use the internet and set reasonable, appropriate limits regarding excessive use and monitoring<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Screen babysitters and other people who have close contact with your child using background checks, references, and interviews<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Keep tabs on your child\u2019s online activity and watch out for signs of secrecy or changes in how your child uses their phone and other devices<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Create a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parentsprotect.co.uk\/create-a-family-safety-plan.htm\">Family Safety Plan<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<b>What if my child discloses that they have been sexually abused?<\/b>\r\n\r\nUnderstand that children may often disclose indirectly to \u201ctest the waters\u201d such as through only telling part of the story, pretending the experience happened to someone else, or asking indirect questions.\r\n\r\nIf a child discloses child sexual abuse to you:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Thank them for telling you<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Tell them it\u2019s not their fault, you <i>believe<\/i> them, and you will get them help<\/li>\r\n \t<li>React calmly, listen, be supportive<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Do NOT ask leading questions, blame the child, or lose control of your emotions<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nAfter reporting to your local authorities, contact your local Child Advocacy Center for support.\r\n\r\n<strong>Child Advocacy Centers:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Are child-friendly, trauma-informed resource centers where a professional, multidisciplinary team can get your child help<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Reduce the number of interviews sexually abused children must undergo<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Can provide specialized medical evaluation and treatment<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFind a local Child Advocacy Center near you at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalchildrensalliance.org\/\">nationalchildrensalliance.org<\/a>\r\nor call 1-800-239-9950","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"","content":"<b>Learn more\u00a0<\/b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Links to national resources:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.missingkids.org\/home\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Center for Missing &amp; Exploited Children<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.missingkids.org\/netsmartz\/home\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NetSmartz:<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Resource for Online Safety and Preventing Online Child Sexual Exploitation<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you discover Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) or believe that inappropriate images of your child may be online, report it to CyberTipline.org\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rainn.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rape, Abuse, &amp; Incest National Network (RAINN)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Child Advocacy Centers: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalchildrensalliance.org\/\">nationalchildrensalliance.org\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Darkness to Light Helpline: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-866-FOR-LIGHT and Crisis textline: Text \"LIGHT\" to 741741<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free, confidential support from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stopitnow.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stop It Now!<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nctsn.org\/what-is-child-trauma\/trauma-types\/sexual-abuse\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Traumatic Stress Network Resources on Child Sexual Abuse<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/1in6.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1in6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers support for male survivors<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find more <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/enoughabuse.org\/get-help\/survivor-support\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">compiled resources<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Enough Abuse<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn more about the science and how we are using research to stop child sexual abuse from previous publications:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><b>Noll, J.G.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Felt, J., Russotti, J., Guastaferro, K., Day, S., Fisher, Z. (2025). Population-level reductions in child sexual abuse valid and invalid cases after a three-year coordinated, community-wide prevention initiative: Results from a synthetic control analysis. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JAMA Pediatrics.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guastaferro, K., Shipe, S. L., Connell, C. M., Letourneau, E. J., &amp; <\/span><b>Noll, J. G.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (2023). Implementation of a universal school-based child sexual abuse prevention program: a longitudinal cohort study. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Journal of interpersonal violence<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 08862605231158765.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guastaferro, K., Felt, J. M., Font, S. A., Connell, C. M., Miyamoto, S., Zadzora, K. M., &amp; <\/span><b>Noll, J. G.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (2022). Parent-focused sexual abuse prevention: Results from a cluster randomized trial. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Child maltreatment<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">27<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(1), 114-125.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Noll, J.G.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Haag, A.C., Kouril, M., Shenk, C.E., Wright, M.F., Barnes, J.E., Kohram, M., Malgaroli, M, Foley, D.J., &amp; Bonanno, G.A. (2022). An observational study of Internet behaviors for adolescent females following sexual abuse<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Nature Human Behaviour<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. doi: 10.1038\/s41562-021-01187-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34580439.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Noll, J.G.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (2021). Child sexual abuse as a unique risk factor for the development of psychopathology: the compounded convergence of mechanisms. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Annual review of clinical psychology<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 439-464.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Noll, J.G.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Shenk, C. E., Barnes, J. E., &amp; Haralson, K. J. (2013). Association of maltreatment with high-risk internet behaviors and offline encounters. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pediatrics, 131<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(2) e510-e517. PMID: 23319522 PMCID: PMC3557406. doi:10.1542\/peds.2012-1281<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","background_color":"#f4f4f4","width":"width-medium"}]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Preventing Child Sexual Abuse - Mt. Hope Family Center<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/education-training\/preventing-sexual-abuse\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Preventing Child Sexual Abuse - Mt. Hope Family Center\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.psych.rochester.edu\/MHFC\/education-training\/preventing-sexual-abuse\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Mt. 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