Stranger danger

Halloween and Sexual Abuse Prevention: The Mythical "Halloween Effect"

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Human behavior, Humans, Behavior, Criminal law, Child sexual abuse, Human sexuality, Stranger danger, Abuse, Sexual intercourse, Campus sexual assault, Child abuse

The simple fact is that there are no significant increases in sexual crimes on or around Halloween.

Key Points: 
  • The simple fact is that there are no significant increases in sexual crimes on or around Halloween.
  • There is no change in the rate of sexual crimes by non-family members during Halloween.
  • But due to the myths regarding child sexual abuse that focus on "stranger danger," communities and lawmakers often endorse policies that do little to prevent sexual abuse and instead unnecessarily stretch limited law enforcement resources.
  • Although the prevalence of child sexual abuse can be difficult to determine due to under-reporting, researchers estimate that one in four girls and one in six boys will be victims of sexual abuse before age 18.