Introducing the Notion of Quaternary Prevention for Child Sexual Abuse

• In Event: Community-based crime prevention

Abstract

Recognized in medicine as protecting patients from overmedicalization or unnecessary intervention, “quaternary prevention” promotes the need to evaluate, quality assure and improve our approach. This presentation applies “quaternary prevention” to child sexual abuse and proposes a corresponding revision to the way we respond to sexual offending. We specifically consider the following examples: homelessness due to community registration and notification; unemployment due to enhanced community supervision; compromised medical care due to insufficient funds; and indigence due to the high cost of treatment. We also consider the victim/survivor experience. That we have created a system where victims cite our response as providing the most traumatic experience for them is indicative of a need to consider how we currently fail. We fail to deliver justice or restitution for survivors, and in turn, contribute to a lack of confidence in the system, a further reduction in disclosures, and an amplification of the problem. Taking a quaternary approach reminds us that if we are to oppose child sexual abuse and exploitation claiming it harms children, families, and communities, then we ought, also, to take a wider view of the nature of our interventions and ensure they are not counterproductive.

Authors

• Danielle A. Harris, Griffith University

• Michael Sheath, Lucy Faithfull Foundation