Child sexual abuse, moral panics and emancipatory practice. (13th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pilgrim, David
• Is Part Of: Critical and radical social work. Volume 5:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2017-03-13
• Subjects: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE -- MORAL PANICS -- EMANCIPATORY PRACTICE; Social service -- Periodicals; 361.305
• DOI: 10.1332/204986017X14835297996415
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-8608

Abstract

Abstract : This article explores the shared interest of sociologists and social workers in moral panics when considering the public policy challenge of child sexual abuse. Enacted paedophilia is one aspect of the latter. The utilisation of moral panic reasoning in pro-paedophile arguments in the past 50 years is described and the recent version of that reasoning is addressed critically. A critical realist framework is adopted to offer immanent and explanatory critiques of moral panic theory when applied to child sexual abuse. Social work practitioners can reflect on the ideological struggle in the academy between an orthodox child protection position, on the one hand, and a libertarian position that endorses freedom of speech and action, on the other.