 The Decline in Child
Sexual Abuse Cases
Lisa Jones and David Finkelhor
Introduction
Highlights
Substantiated
Sexual Abuse
Reports of
Child Sexual Abuse
Decline in
Child Sexual Abuse Greater Than Decline in Physical Abuse or
Neglect
Possible
Reasons for the Decline
Implications
Conclusion
For
Further Information
Notes
References This Bulletin was prepared under grant number 98–JN–FX–0012 from
the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department
of Justice.
Points of view or opinions expressed in this document are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position or
policies of OJJDP or the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is a
component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the
Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the
National Institute of Justice, and the Office for Victims of Crime.
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From the Administrator
While recent reductions in juvenile crime—offenses by
youth—have generated some media coverage, the decline in child
sexual abuse— offenses against youth—has received far less
attention. Yet, we know that the sexual exploitation of children can
have significant impact on its victims and even contribute to an
intergenerational cycle of violence and abuse.
Child protective services agencies report that the increases in
child sexual abuse that marked the 1980’s were followed by a
protracted period of substantial declines in the 1990’s. From 1992
to 1998, for example, substantiated cases of child sexual abuse
decreased by nearly a third.
A critical, and largely unexamined, question is “why?” Using data
from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System and other
sources, this Bulletin describes declines in both reported and
substantiated child sexual abuse from the early 1990’s and
identifies possible factors influencing those declines. The policy
implications suggested by the decrease in child sexual abuse are
also explored.
Further research is needed to better understand the reasons why
child sexual abuse has declined. This Bulletin, however, will
enhance our knowledge of this noteworthy trend and its potential
causes and effects.
John J. Wilson
Acting Administrator
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