Beyond the Headlines: Covering child sexual abuse

Most stories about child sexual abuse are breaking news: A popular coach is accused of molesting an athlete. Police announce the arrest of a dozen people caught in an online child pornography investigation.

So how do you move beyond reporting the basic facts of one case and tell more illuminating stories? Where can you find context and new story lines that will help your audience understand the risks – and what can be done to protect children?

Thanks to a grant from the Ms. Foundation for Women, the Journalism Center has produced new information to help. Sections include background on child sexual abuse and prevention; the characteristics and mental health treatment of people who offend; policy, law enforcement and prosecution; advice for reporting stories with care; and Q&As with leading experts. Each section features a topic overview, story ideas, sources and resources.

These backgrounders – covering the basics of child sexual abuse and prevention programs – are meant to help build your knowledge of child sexual abuse, which the American Medical Association has called a “silent epidemic.”

Please visit Beyond the Headlines to access backgrounders, expert interviews and an informative training module.