Huntsville, Alabama: The National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation has released its new and updated National Plan to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. The National Plan provides practical steps that individuals, organizations, businesses and policymakers can implement to promote positive youth development and prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation. 

“The National Plan helps explain why everyone has an active role in preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation,” says Deborah Callins, president of The National Coalition.

The National Plan explains the multiple areas of trauma associated with sexual abuse and exploitation as well as the frequency of child sexual abuse and exploitation and the economic impact, including increased health care and interdiction costs. The report shows that child sexual abuse and exploitation often happen in conjunction with other types of abuse and violence, [1] and can have long-term, psychological impacts. The National Plan identifies action steps in several key areas, including research, ending the public demand for sexual exploitation, increasing public awareness and collaborative practices and funding.