Teresa L. Van Nostrand, MS, LPC, CSOTP¹, Jewel S. Goodman, MPA², and Stacey B. Plichta, ScD². (1) Old Dominion University, 1788 Drylie Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23464, 757-479-8822, tvan@verizon.net, (2) College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 129 Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529

Child sexual abuse occurs at a high rate in the United States. Few studies have focused specifically on offenders’ providing information in methods of targeting and maintaining children for sexual victimizations. This study sought to develop child sexual abuse prevention strategies based upon information collected from convicted sex offenders. Three semi-structured focus groups were conducted with offenders to identify child sexual abuse prevention measures. Participants were fourteen, male, convicted sex offenders on probation or parole in two cities in the Hampton Roads area of Southeastern Virginia. Participants were either in an aftercare group that followed the therapy group or in a therapy group nearing completion. All participation was voluntary and anonymous. Three categories of prevention information were identified by participants in this study. These include the methods sex offenders use to target, groom and gain access to children for victimization, parents supervision and communication with children and characteristics that make some children more vulnerable to being groomed for abuse by sex offenders. Other important areas of information covered include the functioning in the offenders’ lives preceding their offenses, ways in which their crimes was revealed, duration of the offense, and ways used to maintain silence in their victims. The implications of this work for parents, guardians of children and mental health providers is discussed.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

• Identify methods sex offenders use to target and gain access to children
• Describe various areas of functioning such as intimate relationships, employment, and substance abuse for sex offenders prior to offending.
• Discuss prevention methods identified by sex offenders to help keep children safe from sexual violence

Keywords: Sexual Assault, Violence Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.