Key Strategies Can Protect Youth From Sexual Abuse

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Psychology / Psychiatry;  Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 21 Mar 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The numbers speak louder than words: There are over 83 pregnancies per 1,000 adolescents in the United States, compared with 10 in Japan and 12 in the Netherlands. However, according to a recent article in Pediatric Nursing journal, understanding the risk factors for sexual assault and early sexual behavior and then implementing protective steps can go a long way in keeping children safe.

In the January-February 2008 issue of the journal, authors Lynn Rew and Katherine Bowman outline the forces that put children at risk, including permissive parenting, lack of sex education, unsupervised leisure time and exposure to mass media. Not only do parents need to step in and monitor their children, but communities and schools must act to set up effective programs and education, Rew and Bowman advise.

Nurses are in an ideal position to have a positive impact, the authors say. For example, public and community health nurses can plan and implement community-wide programs. They can also be alert to individuals at risk and take appropriate protective steps. Third, nurses can join with other health care professionals and act as advocates to inspire lawmakers to strengthen national sexual health policies.

"Protecting Youth from Early and Abusive Sexual Experiences"
Lynne Rew, EdD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, and Katherine Bowman, PhD, RN
Pediatric Nursing January-February 2008.

Pediatric Nursing is a clinically-based journal focusing on the needs of professionals in pediatric practice, research, administration and education. www.pediatricnursing.net