James Madison University Chooses New Book On Prevention Of Child Sexual Abuse For Psychology Curriculm
James Madison University chooses new book by Claire R. Reeves C.C.D.C., author of ChildHood-It Should Not Hurt as part of curriculum
Huntersville, NC (PRWEB) October 12, 2004 -- When Hillary Wing-Richards,
Director of the Women’s Resource Center and Center for Sexual Assault Prevention
at James Madison University, Virginia, heard author Claire R. Reeves C.C.D.C.
speak about the child sexual abuse cases documented in her new book, Childhood,
It Should Not Hurt, she and her colleagues were inspired. After reading the
book, they decided to make the book part of the curriculum for JMU’s Fall 2004
class ‘PSYC 450/530 - Psychology of Child Abuse and Neglect’.
“We chose
the book because it presents real-life child sexual abuse cases, and we think it
valuable for our psychology and education students to get a contemporary
perspective from an expert on the subject”, said Wing-Richards, who is also the
course professor and a therapist in private practice. “It’s more reading than
we’ve given students in the past, but it is proving to be a tremendous addition
to the course. I’m very pleased with the impact.”
Author Claire Reeves, National President of Mothers Against Sexual Abuse
(MASA), is also a therapist, journalist and ad-litem witness for alleged sexual
abuse victims. She wrote Childhood, It Should Not Hurt from her 14 years of
experience, fighting to prevent child sexual abuse. The book not only highlights
cases she has encountered, it also provides guidelines for those attempting to
navigate the legal system in attempts to protect allegedly abused children.
“This is a milestone for MASA, and an important amplification of the
voice of sexually abused children and the prevention of the crime”, said Reeves.
“We sincerely hope that other educational institutions will take
note.”
FACTS:
Mother’s Against Sexual
Abuse, a national organization established in California in 1992 by Claire
Reeves, is dedicated to the prevention of sexual abuse against children.
Child Sexual Abuse is any sexual act between an adult and a minor, or
between two minors when one exerts power over the other. It also includes
non-contact acts such as exhibitionism, exposure to pornography, voyeurism and
communicating in a sexual manner by phone or Internet.
· One out three
girls and one out of five boys is sexually abused before the age of 18
· 85%
of those sexually abused know and trust their abusers
· Only 25% of all Child
Sexual Abuse cases are ever reported and of them only 3% result in prosecution
· Child sexual abuse is named as a leading cause of child prostitution and
teen suicide
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/10/prweb166484.htm