April 14, 2026
Dear ATSA Members,
I am writing to share an important update about the editorial leadership of Sexual Abuse, ATSA's flagship journal.
After thoughtful consideration, Dr. Jill Stinson has decided to step down as Editor-in-Chief. On behalf of the ATSA Board of Directors, I want to express our sincere gratitude for Jill's dedicated service. Her contributions to Sexual Abuse and to the field have been meaningful, and we wish her every success going forward.
To ensure a seamless transition, the Board has appointed Dr. Jeff Sandler and Dr. Sharon Kelley as Co-Interim Editors-in-Chief, effective immediately. They will lead the journal while a search for a permanent Editor-in-Chief is conducted, with the goal of having new leadership in place by early 2027.
Many of you know Dr. Sandler and Dr. Kelley through their long-standing engagement with ATSA. Both are deeply respected within our community and bring strong editorial judgment, a commitment to rigorous scholarship, and a genuine investment in the success of this journal. Their appointment reflects a deliberate focus on continuity, stability, and maintaining the high standards that have made Sexual Abuse a trusted voice in the field.
I want to be direct about what this transition means. The scholarly mission and editorial standards of Sexual Abuse are not changing. At the same time, the world of academic publishing is evolving, and so is our field. This interim period is not simply about keeping the lights on. It is an opportunity to think creatively about how the journal can best serve ATSA members and the broader field going forward. Dr. Sandler and Dr. Kelley will be working with the Associate Editors and Editorial Board to explore new approaches to peer review, manuscript development, the implications of AI, and the emerging research questions that are reshaping our work. They will also be assisting with the current round of publisher contract negotiations on behalf of the journal, helping to ensure that the terms we secure reflect the journal's value and set a strong foundation for the next Editor-in-Chief.
I also want to address a governance matter transparently. Dr. Kelley currently serves on the ATSA Board of Directors. To protect the journal's scientific integrity and editorial independence, the Board has adopted a formal policy establishing a clear separation between Board governance and editorial decision-making. Under this policy, Dr. Kelley will recuse herself from all Board discussions involving journal operations where editorial independence could be at issue; editorial information, including manuscript content, reviewer identities, and decision rationales, will not be shared in Board settings; and when any conflict of interest arises, decision authority transfers fully to the non-conflicted Co-EIC. The policy also provides for independent oversight and documentation of all recusals.
To be clear: the Board has not at any point been involved in specific editorial content or manuscript decisions, and this policy formalizes protections to ensure that remains the case.
I am confident that Dr. Sandler and Dr. Kelley will provide steady leadership and use this period to position Sexual Abuse for what comes next. Thank you, as always, for your continued dedication to ATSA and to the work we do together.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns.
With appreciation,Simon Hackett, PhD, FAcSS
ATSA President
Professor of Child Abuse and Neglect
Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse
Department of Sociology
Durham University