We are founded on excellent research that motivates our assessment, treatment, management policy, and prevention strategies. We are dedicated to grow in knowledge and to use existing research into verified practices. We seek to educate and encourage individuals to address the problems of sexual offending by adopting practices that are credible.
Education & Public Policy
Sound Research
Effective Practice
We follow research-based and evidence-informed treatment practices to effectively help those who have or are at risk to sexually offend to prevent future harm to victims. We advocate and educate others to find and adopt prevention practices as new research and data arise.
Informed Policy
Laws and policies are most effective when they are founded on quality research and evidence. These policies help prevent sexual abuse by focusing on educating and advising others on best practices and standards related to the assessment, treatment, and management of individuals who have sexually abused or are at risk to abuse. We also believe that public policy should be informed by research, evaluation, and results.
Comprehensive Prevention
ATSA defines prevention as the effort to stop the perpetration of unhealthy, harmful, dangerous, and illegal sexually orientated behaviors and actions that victimize others. Our goal for prevention is to determine what elements are involved in sexual abuse and using that information to stop it before it begins. Risk and protective factors for victimization are also important factors to know when learning about preventing sexual abuse. A comprehensive prevention program encourages and assists protective factors and aims to reduce or remove risk factors.
Commonly Asked Questions & Fact Checking
Question:
Does research support that registration leads to lower re-offense rates?
Brief Answer: No
Fact Check:
Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.
Brief Answer: FALSE
