thers of sexually abused children are more likely to have been sexually abused in their childhood (Oates, et al, 1998 page 1116) than the control mothers. The study also found that adult females who were sexually abused had difficulty sustaining a reasonable balance of affection and discipline, they have more mental health problems and are less skillful in their maternal functionings.Another study exploring the potential risk factors for childhood sexual abuse was examined in to order to compare the findings. This other study was entitled A Study of potential risk factors for sexual abuse in childhood. The study found that the variables significantly associated with childhood sexual abuse (CSA) were physical abuse, having a mother who was mentally ill, not having someone to confide in, and being socially isolated. This study had some similarities and confirmed some of the findings in the research article titled Prior childhood sexual abuse in mother of sexually abused children. However, one of the main limitations with the two studies is that their experimental and control groups excluded men in their studies. They both highlighted the risk factors that can be seen in mothers and not in the fathers if they were present in the family. These studies also including the study entitled Longitudinal analysis of risk factors for child maltreatment failed to secure experimental and control groups that included participants from various socioeconomic groups and demographics.Before affective prevention programs can be designed to effectively protect children in this country and worldwide, we must understand: why offenders offend, how and why they target their victims, and what factors cause children to be targeted. This will enable child care workers and others to teach parents: how they can equip their children with the skills necessary to defend themselves against potential offenders, how to make their children less vulnerable to offen...
