Sexual abuse, a topic still struggling to break free of its social taboos, is an issue that must be addressed, assessed, and discussed in order to further efforts for prevention and treatment. Social, Psychological, and Forensic Perspectives on Sexual Abuse is an important resource that comprehensively examines the prevalence, assessment, causes, and impacts of sexual violence from cultural, legal, psychosocial, theoretical, and medical viewpoints. Discussing difficult but relevant issues including forensic assessment, legal ramifications, mental health, risk assessment, and effects on family life, this book is geared towards researchers, mental health professionals, clinicians, and special educators seeking current research on prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation in sexual abuse.

All too often in situations of armed conflicts, rape and other acts of sexual violence are used as military tactics. The use of sexual violence as a strategy of war is distinctively destructive and not only leaves victims with significant psychological scars but also tears apart the fabric of families and affected communities. Sexual Violence and Effective Redress for Victims in Post-Conflict Situations: Emerging Research and Opportunities is a collection of innovative research that analyzes these crimes and their implications for the needs of victims in post-conflict justice processes and how these needs can be effectively addressed in order to support the affected community. To conduct this analysis, it explores the distinct aspects of these crimes to understand the nature and extent of the social challenges and damage facing the victim, and examines the challenges and limitations of international criminal justice in dealing with a wide range of victim needs. While highlighting topics including judicial accountability, victims’ rights, and criminal justice, this book is ideally designed for psychologists, therapists, government officials, academicians, policymakers, and researchers.

Sexual violence is a problem well beyond universities, however universities are uniquely well placed to contribute to reducing sexual violence, encouraging those affected to come forward and speak about their experiences and actively encourage increased reporting. This book is unique, in that it offers an international perspective on the incidence, reporting and impact of sexual violence at universities. Drawing on evidence from the UK, North America, Australia and Europe, Towl and Walker explore the psychological and structural challenges to reporting sexual violence. They provide a set of policy and practice guidance recommendations that move beyond awareness campaigns to call for systems to be put in place whereby reports of sexual assault are handled promptly, fairly and consistently. They also discuss how universities can strengthen their approach to prevention, promoting safeguarding and the welfare of victims and survivors, and involving victims and survivors in the development and improvement of services. However, fundamental to their approach is keeping decision making with the victim and survivor, and emphasising that their health and recovery is paramount. Tackling Sexual Violence at Universities is an invaluable and ground-breaking resource for students and researchers in forensic psychology and criminology, as well as professionals working in higher education.

The internet has greatly enhanced access to, dissemination, and sale of child pornography, which is a profitable industry estimated to generate billions of dollars worldwide. While efforts to address the issue of sexual exploitation of children may be slow, the capabilities of offenders to organize, communicate over the internet, and harness technology are unequivocally fast. Protection of children against cyber exploitation has become imperative, and measures should be taken that are specific and targeted to provide specialized victim identification capabilities; adequate protection for children using the internet; genuine participation of children; a full and responsible private sector; and finally, coordinated, effective, and structured international cooperation to protect all children. Combating the Exploitation of Children in Cyberspace: Emerging Research and Opportunities provides innovative research for understanding all elements of combating cyber exploitation of children including the roles of law enforcement, international organizations, and the judicial system and educating children and their families to the dangers of the independent internet usage through cyberspace awareness programs. The content within this publication examines child grooming, cyberbullying, and cybercrime. It is designed for law enforcement, lawmakers, teachers, government officials, policymakers, IT specialists, cybercriminal researchers, psychologists, victim advocates, professionals, academicians, researchers, and students.

Forensic psychology has developed and extended from an original, narrow focus on presenting evidence to the courts to a wider application across the whole span of civil and criminal justice, which includes dealing with suspects, offenders, victims, witnesses, defendants, litigants and justice professionals. This Handbook provides an encyclopedic-style source regarding the major concerns in forensic psychology. It is an invaluable reference text for practitioners within community, special hospital, secure unit, prison, probation and law enforcement forensic settings, as well as being appropriate for trainees and students in these areas. It will also serve as a companion text for lawyers and psychiatric and law enforcement professionals who wish to be apprised of forensic psychology coverage. Each entry provides a succinct outline of the topic, describes current thinking, identifies relevant consensual or contested aspects and alternative positions. Readers are presented with key issues and directed towards specialized sources for further reference.

Communication is a key component of everyday life, but what happens when an individual is faced with a communication disorder? Today, the prevalence of individuals with communication disorders has increased substantially. However, many of these ailments are poorly understood, and medical professionals often lack the training and research necessary to manage and treat these individuals. The Handbook of Research on Psychosocial Perspectives of Human Communication Disorders is a critical scholarly resource that covers needs-based issues pertaining to the assessment and management of communication disorders. It provides the latest research on the importance of early identification, as well as prevention and intervention practices to promote healthy cognitive, speech, language, motor, social, and emotional development. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as speech therapy for children, behavior therapy, and communication disorders, this book is a vital reference source for clinical psychologists, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, physiatrists, otolaryngologists, and neurologists.

Violent behavior is an unavoidable aspect of human nature, and as such, it has become deeply integrated into modern society. Examining violence through a critical, academic, and social perspective can lead to a better understanding of its foundations and implications. Social Issues Surrounding Harassment and Assault: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice explores the social and cultural influences of harassment and assault on human life and activity. Highlighting a range of pertinent topics such as child abuse and neglect, support services, and sexual harassment, this book is an ideal reference source for clinicians, sociologists, practitioners, researchers, and graduate-level students interested in all aspects of social issues related to harassment and assault.