However, these myths contradict the experiences of the majority of young people, particularly with respect to innocence and vulnerability. The myths represent a long tradition that views the victim as an active participant. However, using innocence to provoke public revulsion against sexual abuse is counterproductive, because it provides a source of titillation for abusers and stigmatizes precocious children. In addition, the image of children as vulnerable encourages children to live in fear and restricts the freedom of victims rather than abusers. Although prevention programs that provide assertiveness training offer some benefits, they present the misleading message that children can protect themselves if they are assertive. By failing to take any overall stand against the structural oppression of children, these campaigns are severely limited in what they can achieve and often reinforce the very ideologies that expose children to exploitation in the first place. Notes and 32 references