POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF A CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM

This study evaluated a sexual abuse prevention program for sixth, seve nth, and eighth graders ranging from 8 to 12 years of age. Six questio nnaires concerning feelings of control, choice of protection strategy, perceived feasibility of refusing to cooperate with the intruder, app reciation of touch, school relationships, and social anxiety were used . Subjects were 161 children who participated in the program and a con trol group of 131 children. Results indicated short term overall effec ts of the program for the choice of safety strategies. Immediately aft er participation in the program the youngest and the oldest children f elt less in control of an abusive interaction, the youngest pupils tho ught that refusal was less feasible but they appreciated physical touc h more than before. These effects, however, were only of a short durat ion. In the long run children thought refusing more feasible and young er children showed less social anxiousness. As an unwanted side effect of the program the oldest children developed feelings of discomfort a bout being touched. Relationships with classmates and the teacher were not influenced by the intervention. It is suggested that the behavior al and attitudinal effects of the program could be ameliorated by exte nding the number or duration of the lessons. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.