Open Access Journals
There are unfortunately few major open-access journals dedicated to sexual abuse, but many of the top publications do offer a portion of their content for free.
International Journal of High Risk Behaviors and Addiction
Publisher: Kowsar
This Iranian open-access publication on dangerous behaviors often print articles related to sexual violence.
Sexual Offender Treatment
Publisher: International Association for the Treatment of Sexual Offenders (IATSO)
While its website may not look like much, this open-access publication is the official journal of the respected nonprofit IATSO. On the website you will find research related to all aspects of sexual abuse.
OpenCourseWare
Sexual violence is a public health concern attracting a lot of attention in recent years, with public and private groups decrying the unacceptable levels of violence directed toward women around the world. Discover the roots of this sad social phenomenon via the theories and hard science put forth in courses conducted by top universities.
Feminist Political Thought
The contemporary feminist movement has made combating sexual violence a key social objective. Understand this definitive movement with this collection of readings from MIT.
Evolutionary Biology
Evolutionary biology has become an increasingly common way to understand the world. The theory also provides a “nature over nurture” explanation for crimes such as sexual violence.
Sexual Violence in African Military Conflicts: The Lethal Common Denominator
Organized sexual violence has been a dark theme of many conflicts in Africa. These audio lectures work to uncover the reasons behind this phenomenon through feminist critique and conflict theories.
Sex and Gender Identities
To understand sexual transgressions like assault and rape, it is important to be familiar with the normal sexual and gender politics underlying the system. This collection of readings from MIT will give you a strong foundation.
Research Organizations
According to the U.S. Justice Department, 60% of sexual assaults will never be reported to police. And the percentage of unreported crimes is likely far higher when the victims are children. So the following organizations conduct essential research for shedding light on this pernicious public health concern.
U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics
This government agency gathers data and releases many telling reports on its site, covering various topics related to sexual violence in the United States.
World Health Organization Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme
The World Health Organization examines trends and data on sexual violence around the world and produces many sweeping reports, all available through the organization’s website.
Child Molestation Research and Prevention Institute
With offices in Georgia and California, this nonprofit promotes, conducts, and publishes research aimed at understanding the factors that lead to child abuse, with an eye toward prevention.
Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
Housed at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, this organization funds students and researchers working to understand and stop the sexual abuse of children.
Center for Disease Control
Given that sexual violence is a major public health concern, the CDC gathers a bounty of data and compiles it into revealing reports, including the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS).
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
This major nonprofit organization gathers statistics and research on sexual violence and makes it all available in one place.
Professional Organizations
These organizations represent professionals who help prevent sexual assault and help care for the victims.
American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists
This organization brings together all who provide sexual counselling through training and certification. It also promotes healthy sexual relationships.
American Counseling Association
The over 55,000 counselors in this professional organization represent some of the most effective health care providers for treating the victims of the sexual assault epidemic.
Public Awareness Organizations
According to the United Nations, one in three women will be raped or assaulted in her lifetime. At the same time, intolerably high numbers of children report being sexually abused. Bringing these dark truths out into the open is the first step in addressing this major public health concern, and it is what these organizations do.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Along with other pressing health concerns, sexual assault has an awareness month, April, which is organized by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. The initiative aims to get people talking about sexual violence as a first step toward fixing the problem.
Darkness to Light
This nationwide nonprofit educates adults to recognize and react effectively to the sexual abuse of children. The organization has more than 6,500 educational facilitators in all 50 states.
One In Three Women
Taking a name from a UN report that 1 in 3 women will be raped in her lifetime, this organization spreads awareness and funds treatment program for victims of sexual violence around the world.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
The largest anti-sexual violence nonprofit in the United States, RAINN provides information and statistics, raises awareness, and supports sexual assault victims through the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
Stop Rape Now
This United Nations program raises awareness and pushes for political action to stop sexual violence against women in combat zones around the world.
UNite to End Violence Against Women
Since 2008, this United Nations initiative has been working with governments and international organizations to reduce the number of sexual assaults against women.
