An Evidence-Based Education Program for Adults about Child Sexual Abuse (“Prevent It!”) That Significantly Improves Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior

Abstract

Here we describe the development of an evidence-based education program for adults about childhood sexual abuse (CSA), called Prevent It! Uniquely, the primary goal of this program was to change the behavior of participants, as well as to increase knowledge about CSA and positive attitudes toward it. A comprehensive review shows no previous similar approach. The program includes a detailed manual to allow standardized administration by trained facilitators, as well as multiple video segments from CSA survivors and professionals. A total of 23 program workshops were run, with 366 adults participating. Of these, 312 (85%) agreed to take part in the study. All completed baseline ratings prior to the program and 195 (63% of study sample) completed follow-up assessments at 3-months. There were no significant differences between the demographic make-up of the baseline group and the follow-up group. Assessments included demographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and several measures of behavior (our primary outcome variable). Behavioral questions asked individuals to select behaviors used in the previous 3-months from a list of options. Questions also included asking “how many times in the previous 3-months” have you “talked about healthy sexual development or Child sexual abuse (CSA) with a child you know”; “suspected a child was sexually abused”; “taken steps to protect a child”; or “reported suspected sexual abuse to police or child welfare”? The majority of attendees were women, with the commonest age group being between 30 and 39 years old. Approximately 33% had experienced CSA themselves. At 3-month follow-up there were highly statistically significant improvements in several aspects of behavior and knowledge, and attitudes regarding CSA. For example, the number of subjects actively looking for evidence of CSA increased from 46% at baseline to 81% at follow-up, while the number of subjects who actively took steps to protect children increased from 25% at baseline to 48% at follow-up. For general public adults, this is the first program designed using the current evidence base for effective training in CSA examining longer-term outcomes and the first to focus on actual behavioral outcomes. The results suggest it is highly effective and support its widespread use.

Child Sexual Abuse in Pakistan: Using Evidence Based Social Ecological Model for Explanation and Policy Formulation

“…50,51 There is evidence that education and awareness of children, parents, community and professionals are effective for protection of children from sexual abuse. 52 However, it is important that child sexual abuse programs should address the diversity of population, and children with special needs should also be protected. A review 53 of 87 child sexual abuse prevention programs revealed that only 17% programs addressed the diversity of population and 33% programs addressed the children with special needs.…”

“Don’t Touch My Body!” Child Sexual Abuse Training Program for Future Pre-School Educators: A Single-Blind, Pre-Test/Post-Test, Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Educational programs designed to raise the awareness of individuals with a high degree of interaction with children are critical for comprehensively addressing this program (Moon et al, 2017). Previous approaches include parent education (Martin & Silverstone, 2016; Nickerson et al, 2018), education of teachers (Aksel & Irmak, 2015), education of students in the department of child development (Altundağ, 2020a), particularly for very young children (Kemer & İşler Dalgıç, 2021; Mendelson & Letourneau, 2015; Wurtele & Kenny, 2010), and child education, which typically includes a parent education component (Tutty et al, 2020). Because children are vulnerable and unable to protect themselves, especially in the pre-adolescence period (Chen et al, 2010; Zhang et al, 2013), it is critical, especially for young children (ages 3–5), to learn crucial ideas (e.g., private parts, good/bad touch) and employ self-protection strategies (Jin et al, 2017; Kemer & İşler Dalgıç, 2021).…”