By Kieran McCartan & Kasia
Uzieblo
Sexual abuse is a complicated and simple
issue simultaneously. This is a source of concern, frustration, hope, and
despair for many individuals working in the field. It is a multi-agency,
multidisciplinary issue involving numerous organisations, charities, frontline
services, and providers working with individuals to address the reality,
causes, and impact of it. Over the years, we have come to see sexual abuse as a
multi-systemic issue that impacts all levels of society (individual,
interpersonal, community, societal), all facets of society (gender, race,
culture, health, psychology and wellbeing), and all societies; it is truly a
global issue. Part of the challenge of sexual abuse is the conversation,
communication and messaging around it. Translating professional, policy and
research conversations to public and community discourses to educate and
upskill everyone. This was the aim of the blog when it was first established as
an offshoot of the Journal of Sexual Abuse and continues to be its aim as it
transitions to being the ATSA blog, aligning with its policy and practice
addenda moving forward. Sexual abuse, and the blog, has always been evidence-
and practice-based and politically motivated (with a small “p”), and this
remains true today, but has become more critical with the current
socio-political climate.
Over the years, since the first blog in
July 2010 by Robin Wilson (the original lead blogger on the site), there have
been 574 blogs (this is the 575th), and they have covered everything from
treatment, polygraph, policing, policy approaches, trauma-informed practice,
work with adults as well as children and young people, drug and psychological
therapies, risk assessment, victim services and narratives, policy, practice,
research, conference reviews, and obituaries for leaders in the field. The blog has featured numerous associate
bloggers and guest blog posts over the years, truly reflecting the discussions
among professionals, practitioners, policymakers, and what you might expect to
see at an ATSA, NOTA, ANZATSA, NL-ATSA, or IATSO conference. In doing so, the
blog has succeeded in gathering a wide range of international voices and
insights, albeit predominantly from the Western world, thus fostering an
important global dialogue while acknowledging the need to continue expanding
diverse perspectives. The blog, although aimed at professionals, talked to
members of the public and highlighted critical public debates and issues.
However, it is also a real challenge, as the field of sexual abuse has become
more political over the last 15 years, nationally and internationally, which
means that there needs to be a more strategic and coordinated approach to the
blog and what it is saying.
As of next week, the blog will be run by
the ATSA staff, marking an essential milestone in the evolution of the blog and
ATSA’s transition from a grassroots members' organisation to a professional
policy and practice organisation. The blog has been and will continue to be a
central tenet of ATSA’s messaging, and it will remain so.
As we look ahead, the future of the blog
lies not only in continuing to reflect the breadth and depth of professional
discourse, but also in strengthening its role as a platform for engagement,
advocacy, and change. Over the past 15 years, the blog has already played a
vital role in informing, challenging, and connecting thousands of
readers—something reflected in both its sustained readership and its consistent
ranking among
the top sexual abuse blogs globally.
As it becomes more deeply embedded within ATSA, we believe this integration
will open up new opportunities to amplify ATSA’s mission, inform policy and
practice, and foster meaningful dialogue across disciplines. In times marked by
increasing societal polarisation, growing misinformation, and a widespread
questioning of scientific evidence and expertise, it is more important than
ever that we stand strong together - grounded in evidence, united in purpose,
and committed to supporting all those affected by sexual abuse.
As we pass the torch, we want to express
our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to, responded to,
challenged, and supported the blog over the years. It has been a privilege to
be part of this vibrant and committed community. We are proud of the
conversations we’ve fostered, the bridges we’ve built, and the critical issues
we’ve been able to highlight together. The field of sexual abuse prevention and
response has undoubtedly evolved: there is more open discussion, policies have
shifted (albeit still too few and too slow), and research continues to grow.
But we are far from talking. Despite decades of effort, innovation, and
intervention, prevalence rates of sexual violence remain stubbornly stable.
This stark reality reminds us that the fight against sexual abuse is far from
over. It calls on us to reflect critically on what works, what doesn’t, and
what needs to change. We must keep pushing forward, with renewed commitment to
prevention at every level: individual, relational, institutional, and societal.
That’s why platforms like this blog are not only relevant but essential. We
cannot - and must not - stop talking about sexual abuse, our response to it or
how we individually, as well as collectively, can prevent it.
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