Child Abuse Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Child Abuse, including details on family violence, examinations, long-term effects, psychiatrics disorders.

Denormalizing a historical problem: teen pregnancy, policy, and public health action.

Kandakai TL, Smith LC

Department of Adult, Counseling, Health, and Vocational Education, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242-0001, USA. tkandaka@kent.edu

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of teen-adult sexual relationships as a public health threat and the effectiveness of statutory rape laws in protecting adolescent children. METHODS: A comprehensive review of current literature surrounding child abuse, teen pregnancy, and statutory rape was conducted. RESULTS: Of one million teen girls who become pregnant each year, two-thirds may be the victims of statutory rape. Current laws appear to marginalize the severity of teen- adult sexual relationships, compromising the health and safety of adolescent children. CONCLUSIONS: Public health recommendations which include public policy change and enforcement, education, and community empowerment are offered.

Published 2 February 2007 in Am J Health Behav, 31(2): 170-80.
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