Historically, Americans have maintained a secretive and puritanical attitude toward human sexuality. Therefore, the American culture has held a narrow perspective on sexual abuse and has not accepted that sexual abuse and the abuse of sexuality are extensive and pervasive problems in the modern American lifestyle. The criminal justice solution is to punish illegal behavior, but this is not preventing sexual abuse. The article discusses the need to change the public's and legislators' view of sexual abuse as a criminal justice problem, to view it instead as a serious public health problem, and a preventable social problem. The article addresses the role of the media, the need for accurate information and public education, the use of laws to prevent sexual abuse, current strategies to prevent sexual abuse, treatment programs for both offenders and victims, and the challenge for the future. Notes