For decades, sexual violence prevention practitioners have been calling for greater investment in preventing child sexual abuse. They’ve emphasized the importance of stopping harm before it happens, of supporting families and communities, and of changing the conditions that allow abuse to persist. Yet, one of the most persistent challenges facing preventionists is the lack of economic evidence to show that prevention is not only effective but it’s also worth the cost.
A new article, Economic Evaluation of Prevention Interventions for Child Sexual Exploitation or Child Sexual Abuse: A Systematic Review, aims to change that. Published in 2024, the review synthesizes available research on the cost-effectiveness of prevention interventions and makes a clear call for more attention to the financial value of investing in prevention especially at the community level.