Evaluation of a child sexual abuse prevention program

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Work
• Criminology

Background:

• Child sexual abuse affects half a million children annually in the U.S.
• Previous prevention efforts primarily focused on child education and abuser punishment.
• Adult-targeted prevention programs were uncommon, necessitating new strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the first public health campaign targeting adults for child sexual abuse prevention.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to adult intervention in child sexual abuse cases.
• To assess the effectiveness of a multi-faceted prevention strategy.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a baseline assessment of adult attitudes, awareness, and knowledge regarding child sexual abuse.
• Implemented a public health campaign including media outreach, direct communication, and a helpline.
• Employed a systems change strategy to engage decision-makers and leaders.
• Utilized surveys, focus groups, and existing data for program evaluation.

Main Results:

• Identified significant knowledge gaps among adults regarding abuser characteristics and referral resources.
• Revealed reluctance among adults to intervene, even when aware of potential abusers.
• Demonstrated the potential of a multi-strategy approach combining media, direct support, and policy change.

Conclusions:

• Adults are a critical target for child sexual abuse prevention efforts.
• Addressing knowledge gaps and social barriers is essential for effective adult intervention.
• Comprehensive strategies are necessary to shift societal norms and empower adults to protect children.