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Incidence and Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse: A Critical Review of Data Collection Procedures

NCJ Number
157520
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (1995) Pages: 49-65
Author(s)
T F Wynkoop; S C Capps; B J Priest
Date Published
1995
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The ways in which data are collected concerning the incidence and prevalence of child sexual abuse were critically examined, with emphasis on the consistency of results across studies and on confounding variables such as underreporting that may compromise validity.
Abstract
Results indicated that the ways in which these data have been collected, analyzed, and reported have been so flawed that few reliable conclusions can be made. Among methods of improving data collection would be to modify the format of the National Crime Victimization Survey, formerly the National Crime Survey. This potential data source has been neglected in the literature on child sexual abuse. Other methods to improve data collection would be to establish uniform legal definitions and standards, set minimum standards of information gathering, collect and store raw data in a central repository for access and analysis, integrate information on incidence and prevalence, and continue local and regional research. Table and 41 references (Author abstract modified)