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Affiliation
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Women Studies Program and Department of Sociology, University of Washington, 98195 Seattle, Washington; House of Representatives, Washington State |
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Abstract
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Early prevention education training has been advocated by scholars and practitioners to intervene with children and youth who have been or are being sexually abused as well as to prevent sexual abuse from occurring. This study identified and surveyed major school-based child sexual abuse prevention programs in the country. Results obtained from 126 prevention programs indicated that most programs are conducted at a local level; that together they reach hundreds of thousands of students, parents, teachers, and other school staff; and that they offer a prescribed curriculum and resource materials. Nearly two-thirds receive state funding assistance, with less than a third charging the schools. Most were established in the early and mid 1980s and have well-educated staff. Further, most work to meet the needs of disabled students and provide means for disclosure of sexual abuse. Training format, duration, and materials vary.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study by Kohl was to examine the laws in each state pertaining to the definition of child sexual abuse as well as identify and survey the major school-based child sexual abuse prevention programs.
METHODOLOGY:
The first part of the study was a non-experimental analysis of the statutes protecting children from sexual abuse in each of the fifty states. The latter half of the study was also non-experimental and focused on the identification and subsequent surveying of prevention programs. The researcher conducted an informal phone survey with experts in the field of child sexual abuse who helped her identify the recipients of a more formal mail survey. The 117 recipients of this survey included representatives from Children's Trust Funds (N=47) as well as chapters of the National Committee on the Prevention of Child abuse (N=70). The recipients of the mail survey identified 267 successful school-based programs focusing on prevention; representatives from 126 of these programs completed and returned a survey sent by the researcher, and their programs comprised the sample for this study.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
An analysis of state laws revealed that all 50 states have provisions for the protection of children from child sexual abuse. However, there is variation in the way abuse is defined and to whom the laws apply. It was found that in 26 states, child sexual abuse is classified under child abuse and neglect. Forty-nine states specified the age of victim as being 18 or younger and one state specified this age as 19 or younger. The author found that forty-five states require educational personnel to report suspected sexual abuse cases. School-based prevention programs were found to exist in all regions of the country and primarily operate at the local level. It was found that the programs are put on by both paid and volunteer staff who are, for the most part, highly educated. Programs were found to range in content and delivery, but the most frequently taught concepts revolve around issues of self-esteem, saying "no", safety, and appropriate and inappropriate touch using role-playing, handouts, films, and videos as instructional aides. Children, parents and teachers were found to be the major focus of most programs, but administrators, school staff and community members also receive training. It was found that the programs often follow a prescribed curriculum and are tailored to meet the special needs of young children and children with disabilities. All of the programs allowed for disclosure. Less than a third of the programs charge the schools, and of those that do, state funding pays for much of them. Ninety percent of the programs included some sort of evaluation process to measure the success of their training, usually in the form of a survey which tested retention and comprehension of the ideas taught in the program.
AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
The author suggested that future research focus on independent evaluations of the programs' training, curricula and resource materials. She was particularly concerned with whether or not the programs really work to help children resist abuse, disclose abusive incidents, and seek help, and suggests that these areas be further studied. Finally, she proposed that the programs be evaluated with respect to the availability of follow-up assistance as well as steps taken toward working with potential abusers.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
State Policy
Child Abuse Prevention
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
Sexual Assault Prevention
Prevention Program
School Based
State Legislation |