In this episode, we are joined by Professor Kieran McCartan, Professor of Criminology at UWE Bristol, and an expert in applying public health strategies. Our focus is exploring a subject that is as challenging as it is crucial: the prevention of child sex abuse. Child sex abuse affects more children than most people realise, so highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention strategies is vital.
Trigger warning: This podcast episode mentions the sexual abuse of children in the context of how we work together to prevent it. It affects all communities, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 7 boys worldwide. Talking about child sexual abuse is important and part of the solution. If listening to the podcast has affected you and speaking to someone would help or if you simply want to learn more, the NSPCC website is a good place to start.
nspcc.org.uk/
A curated list of relevant publications and outputs, for more please see my UWE webpage:
- McCartan, K. F., Eason, A., Senker, S., Adiss, N., &Porter, C. (in press, 2025). Understanding and Developing a public health and criminological approach to tackling sexual abuse: prevention, treatment and integration. Palgrave Macmillan. NEW BOOK THAT PODCAST CHAT IS BASED ON
- Uzieblo, K., Smid, W., & McCartan, K. F (2022). Challenges in the Management of People Convicted of a Sexual Offence: A Way Forward. Palgrave MacMillan.
- McCartan, K. F., & King-Hill, S. (2024). Developing a Framework for the Prevention of Sibling Sexual Behaviour. Child Abuse & Neglect doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106849
- McCartan, K., & Kemshall, H. (2023). Incorporating Quaternary Prevention: Understanding the Full Scope of Public Health Practices in Sexual Abuse Prevention. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 67(2-3), 224-246. doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211049204
- McCartan, K. F. (2024). Scoping review of international approaches to child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention interventions by law enforcement. ECPAT International.
- Kemshall, H., & McCartan, K. F., (2022). Desistance, recovery, and justice capital: Putting it all together. HM Inspectorate of Probation.
- McCartan, K. F. (2022). Adapting out thinking on theory and practice in working with people convicted of a sexual offence. HM Inspectorate of Probation. HM Inspectorate of Probation.
- UWE Change makers on collaborative work on Child Sexual Abuse prevention with NSPCC Together For Childhood. soundcloud.com/uwebristol/changemaker-podcast-together-for-childhood?in=uwebristol/sets/changemaker-podcast
- I contribute regularly to the ATSA (Association for the Treatment & Prevention of Sexual Abuse) blog
blog.atsa.com/