Sage Publications Nursery Crimes: Sexual Abuse in Day Care

The problem of sexual abuse in day care has increasingly come to the attention of both the public and child abuse researchers during the last few years. Nursery Crimes: Sexual Abuse in Day Care is the result of a two year nationwide investigation of sexual abuse in day care, conducted in an attempt to sort out reality in the controversy and address issues related to the incidence of the problem in order to determine whether day care is a hight risk environment. Perpetrators are described and various strategies evaluated for screening them from access to children. The process of detection and disclosure and the professional response to cases of abuse are examined carefully for ideas about how to promote better and earlier reporting. The types of investigators and types of actions taken by licensing and law enforcement agencies are evaluated. To help work with the victims in the aftermath, the impact on both the children and the community is examined. Policy implications and specific recommendations are included in each section.