Special Issue on "What Works in the Prevention of Sexual Abuse?"
Guest Edited by Kieran McCartan, Ryan T. Shields, and Joan Tabachnick
We are pleased to announce a call for submissions for a special issue of Sexual Abuse, focusing on preventing the perpetration of sexual abuse. The special issue aims to highlight successful strategies and innovations in prevention from around the world, with a particular emphasis on primary perpetration prevention (i.e., addressing sexual harm before it occurs), as well as exploring the role of evidence, current challenges, and future directions in the field.
Focus of the Special Issue:
This special issue will address the question: What works to prevent the perpetration of sexual abuse? Authors are invited to submit contributions that explore, examine, and critically analyze primary prevention approaches in the context of sexual abuse. The focus should be on efforts to prevent the perpetration of sexual abuse before harm occurs, but we will also accept papers related to secondary prevention efforts, effective immediate responses to sexual abuse.
Submissions may address any of the following topics, though other related subjects are also welcome:
- Evidence of success in primary prevention program and how we can redefine and assess outcomes effectively, considering the unique challenges in proving primary prevention.
- Key lessons learned from prevention programs, including how these insights can inform future efforts.
- Risk and protective factors for first-time perpetration of sexual abuse.
- The role of public messaging, policy changes, and the advancement of the science of prevention.
- Implementation science, including how to overcome political challenges, counter stigma, and ensure the sustainability of prevention efforts.
- Global perspectives on sexual abuse prevention, including cultural and regional considerations.
Submission Guidelines:
We invite authors to submit:
Full Journal Articles (25-30 pages) – Comprehensive research studies, program evaluations, or theoretical papers that offer a deep exploration of prevention strategies, evidence of success, and lessons learned.
Brief Reports (5-6 pages) – Concise summaries of prevention programs, including current status, outcomes, challenges, and key insights for practice and/or policy.
All submissions should include a Plain Language Abstract to ensure accessibility for a broader audience, including policymakers, practitioners, and the general public.
Letter of Intent
To help us plan and organize the review process, we kindly request that authors who intend to submit an article for this issue submit a Letter of Intent. Please note that submitting a Letter of Intent is not a requirement for submitting an article. However, providing this information will greatly assist the guest editors in managing the review process and ensuring the best possible fit for the special issue.
Please include the following components in your Letter of Intent:
Working Title:
Provide the working title of your article or study.
Author Names:
List the names of all authors who will be contributing to the article.
Description of the Study or Prevention Program (500 words):
Provide a concise summary of the study or prevention program you are presenting. The description should highlight the purpose, methodology, key findings or objectives, and any significant implications for the field.
Type of Submission:
Indicate whether you plan to submit a full journal article or a brief report.
Important Dates:
Letter of Intent: September 1, 2025 (send to SexualAbusePreventionSI@gmail.com)
Papers Due: March 31, 2026
Publication of Issue: March 2027
For any other question please reach out Aniss Benelmouffok, Managing Editor Sexual Abuse