The Epidemic of Rape and Child Sexual Abuse in the United States

This long-awaited follow up to Diana Russell's landmark book Sexual Exploitation (SAGE, 1984) examines the studies that have since been conducted on the incidence and prevalence of rape and child sexual abuse in the United States. The author evaluations consider the various definitions researchers have used, as well as the methodologies used for collecting data. The book answers the backlash criticism - from both feminists and anit-feminists - that reports of high sexual assault rates are exaggerated. Accurate information, the authors show, is vital to preventing these crimes, and this book is a `must read' for those who study, educate, and help women and girls who are victims of sexual assault.

The Epidemic of Rape and Child Sexual Abuse in the United States evaluates research findings of the last 15 years regarding the statistical prevalence of sexual assault against women and girls.

Introduction From Revolution to BacklashPART ONE: THE SCOPE OF RAPERape Laws and Prevalence ResearchRussell¿s Survey on the Incidence and Prevalence of Rape in San FranciscoRapes Reported to the Police A Comparison of the FBI¿s and Russell¿s DataThe Federal Government¿s Estimates of the Incidence of RapeThe Prevalence of Rape Other Representative Samples - Part 1The Prevalence of Rape Other Representative Samples - Part 2Is the Rape Rate Really Decreasing Trends in Rape Rates over TimePART TWO: THE SCOPE OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSEChild Sexual Abuse, the Law, and Researcher¿s DefinitionsThe Incidence of Child Sexual AbuseRussell¿s Survey on the Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse in San FranciscoThe Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse Other Representative Samples - Part 1The Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse Other Representative Samples - Part 2Comparisons of Child Sexual Abuse Prevalence RatesThe Epidemic of Child Rape Reality and New MythPART THREE: CONCLUSIONThe Backlash - Diana E H Russell Feminists Blamed for Creating a Phantom Epidemic of Rape and Child Sexual AbuseThe Epidemic of Rape and Child Sexual Abuse A National Emergency