Physicians group, Massachusetts Citizens for Children collaborate
Contact: Richard Gulla
781-434-7101
rgulla@mms.org
Waltham, Mass. - Feb. 27 - As reports of child sexual abuse increase at Massachusetts schools and with the Penn State and church pedophile scandals still in memory and making headlines, the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) is encouraging parents and guardians to learn more about child sexual abuse with the publication of Protecting Your Child from Sexual Abuse, a collaborative effort with Massachusetts Citizens for Children (MCC).
This free 12-page brochure includes basic information on child sexual abuse; tips to help protect children; potential signs and changes in behavior to look for; what to do if abuse is suspected; and resources on reporting, preventing, and treatment of child sexual abuse.
Authored by Jetta Bernier, executive director of MCC, Protecting Your Child from Sexual Abuse is the result of a cooperative effort between the MMS Committee on Violence Intervention and Prevention and MCC, a nonprofit, independent advocacy group for the state's most vulnerable children. It is one of a series of ten brochures focusing on various aspects of violence and children originated by Robert Sege, M.D., Director of the Division of Family and Child Advocacy at Boston Medical Center and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.
The series of brochures is part of the Massachusetts Medical Society's Campaign Against Violence and includes individual descriptions of such topics as dating and street violence, violence in the media, bullying, violence in the home, and myths and facts about violence.
Protecting Your Child from Sexual Abuse and the other brochures in the series are available free via download from the Massachusetts Medical Society at www.massmed.org/violence. Printed copies may be ordered individually or in sets from the Medical Society by writing to dph@mms.org or calling 1-800-322-2303, Ext. 7373.
The Massachusetts Medical Society, with more than 24,000 physicians and student members, is dedicated to educating and advocating for the patients and physicians of Massachusetts. The Society publishes the New England Journal of Medicine, a leading global medical journal and web site, and Journal Watch alerts and newsletters covering 13 specialties. The Society is also a leader in continuing medical education for health care professionals throughout Massachusetts, conducting a variety of medical education programs for physicians and health care professionals. Founded in 1781, MMS is the oldest continuously operating medical society in the country. For more information please visit www.massmed.org, www.nejm.org or www.jwatch.org.
