Season 14 • Episode 1094

Child Sexual Abuse is Preventable, Not Inevitable

Aug 19, 2026

17:18

Pediatric Mental Health Health Policy Mental Health Public Health Children's Health

Episode Description

About this episode:

Millions of children will experience sexual abuse before they turn 18, either in-person or online and often at the hands of people they know. The mental, behavioral, and physical health consequences can linger into adulthood. In this episode: Elizabeth Letourneau, director of the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, explains why child sexual abuse is one of the nation's most pressing public health crises and what can be done to prevent it.

Guest:

Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD, MA, is a professor of mental health and the director of the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse. She is also the co-author of "One in Five: Why Child Sexual Abuse Is Our Biggest Public Health Crisis—and What We Can Do to Stop It."

Host:

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.

Show links and related content:

One in Five: Why Child Sexual Abuse Is Our Biggest Public Health Crisis—and What We Can Do to Stop It—Hachette Book Group
Dr. Elizabeth Letourneau and Luke Malone (on child sexual abuse prevention)—Armchair Expert
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse—Public Health On Call (January 2023)

Transcript information:

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