Submit a Manuscript to the Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse
For a Special Issue on
Practice Innovations in Intervention and Prevention of Sexual Victimization across the Lifespan
Abstract deadline
Manuscript deadline
Special Issue Editor(s)
Lindsay Orchowski, Ph.D.,
Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University
[email protected]
Molly Driessen, Ph.D.,
Providence College
[email protected]
Practice Innovations in Intervention and Prevention of Sexual Victimization across the Lifespan
Agencies, treatment facilities, community-based organizations, and programs serving survivors of violence and those engaged in prevention work develop meaningful, trauma-informed approaches every day. The knowledge generated in these direct service settings, including the realities of implementation, adaptation, and innovation, is too rarely captured in the peer-reviewed literature. This special issue of the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse: Research, Treatment & Program Innovations for Sexual Victimization Across the Lifespan invites submissions from practitioners, program leaders, organizations, and advocates working at the forefront of intervention for survivors of sexual victimization and the prevention of sexual victimization throughout the lifespan. The goal of this special issue is to raise awareness about practice innovations relating to interventions for survivors of sexual victimization and prevention of sexual victimization.
The theme for this special issue centers on practice innovations: creative, adaptive, and evidence-informed approaches developed and implemented by agencies and programs working directly with individuals, families, and communities affected by sexual victimization. We especially encourage submissions from direct service organizations that do not typically publish in academic journals; your knowledge and experience matter and belong in the literature.
This Special Issue Aims To
- Elevate and disseminate practice innovations in intervention for survivors of sexual victimization and prevention of sexual victimization from direct service settings
- Bridge the gap between research and practice by documenting real-world implementation experience
- Serve as a resource for practitioners, program administrators, policymakers, and researchers
- Amplify diverse voices from the field, including those of practitioners, program leaders, and survivors
- Document both established and emerging innovations, including those serving underserved or hard-to-reach populations
Scope
Manuscripts describing practice innovations, program models, and practitioner perspectives addressing intervention for survivors of sexual victimization and the prevention of sexual victimization throughout the lifespan will be considered. We welcome submissions from agencies and programs at any stage of implementation, from newly piloted approaches to sustained, mature practices. Studies addressing practice innovations for intervention and prevention of sexual victimization throughout the lifespan and across all service sectors are eligible. Evaluation data is not required for submission.
Topics Include But Are Not Limited To
- Care models for sexual victimization and their implementation in healthcare, legal, educational, child welfare, housing, or community-based settings
- Innovative intervention approaches for survivors of sexual victimization
- Practice innovations in culturally responsive or population-specific programming for survivors of sexual victimization or to prevent sexual victimization across the lifespan(e.g., LGBTQ+ survivors, immigrant and refugee communities, rural populations, individuals with disabilities)
- Program adaptations addressing intervention for survivors of sexual victimization or prevention of sexual victimization that are designed to reach underserved, marginalized, or hard-to-reach populations
- Peer support, survivor leadership, and lived experience integration in service delivery addressing intervention or prevention of sexual victimization
- Multi-system collaboration and cross-sector approaches sexual victimization intervention or prevention
- Innovations in primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention of sexual victimization
- Technology-assisted service delivery and digital innovations in interventions for survivors of sexual victimization or prevention of sexual victimization across the lifespan
- Perspective pieces on the state of the field, systemic challenges, and future directions in services for survivors of sexual victimization or prevention of sexual victimization
Manuscript Types
The following manuscript types are permitted and undergo double-anonymous peer review:
- Research papers (qualitative, quantitative, systematic reviews, etc.)
- Practice innovation papers
- Program descriptions
- Perspective pieces
This journal complies with NIH Public Access Policy and all applicable NIH embargo requirements. Authors who have received NIH funding are required to disclose funding sources in their cover letter at the time of submission. Accepted manuscripts arising from NIH-funded research will be submitted to PubMed Central (PMC) in accordance with NIH guidelines.
Submission Instructions
Manuscript Format
In addition to traditional research articles that follow a scientific methodology, this special issue also welcomes submissions that do not follow the traditional empirical research article format.
Manuscripts without a research methodology should follow the following practice-oriented structure accessible to direct service practitioners and program leaders:
Title Page: Centered, bolded title; author name, affiliation, role/title, and date.
Introduction: Under the introduction heading, begin by stating the problem or population addressed, as well a compelling opening that hooks the reader, defines the problem or practice gap, and clearly states the significance of the innovation or perspective being shared.
Practice Innovation: Utilize thematic headings relevant to the practice innovation (e.g., “Intervention Approach”, "Reaching Youth in Crisis," "Building Trust Across Systems"). Should include: contextualization of the current state of the field or practice landscape; description and analysis of the innovation, program, or perspective; and evidence-based arguments, examples, or case illustrations. If evaluation data is available, it can be discussed, but is not required. A logic model should be included when appropriate. Description of the theoretical model or framework should also be included when appropriate.
Implications: A dedicated section providing critical, in-depth analysis of the practice innovation, its importance, and its implications for the field and future practice or policy. If the innovation has yet to be evaluated, this section can discuss next steps or evaluation designs/methods/measures for advancing evaluation of the innovation.
Conclusion: A synthesizing summary that reinforces the main thesis or practice contribution without introducing new information.
References: Sources cited in standard APA 7th Edition format.
How to Submit an Abstract
To obtain well-rounded coverage of relevant issues, potential contributors are asked to submit article ideas to the editor in the form of a brief summary (250–500 words) that:
- Clearly describes the practice innovation, program, or perspective to be shared
- Identifies the population(s) served and the service setting
- Highlights the relevance of the submission to the special issue theme
- Describes what is innovative, adaptive, or noteworthy about the approach
- Explains how the submission may inform or advance practice, policy, or the field
Submission of an abstract represents a commitment to prepare a full manuscript if invited. Abstracts should not exceed 500 words.
Proposed Target Audience
Practitioners, program administrators, agency leaders, policymakers, advocates, and researchers engaged in trauma-informed intervention and violence prevention across service sectors and the lifespan.
Instructions
Abstracts/proposals should be sent to the editor Lindsay Orchowski as well as <[email protected]> no later than August 15, 2026. Invitations for full manuscripts will be issued by September 15, 2026. Full manuscripts will be due no later than November 01, 2026.
Submission Details
All articles undergo double-anonymous peer review. Manuscripts approved for inclusion should be submitted via the JCSA manuscript submission system, selecting the special issue title upon submission.