VICTIMIZATION PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN - A FOLLOW-UP

Objective. This study examined whether victimization prevention instru ction in school has any impact on children's behavior in situations of real victimization threat. Methods. Telephone interviews were conduct ed in 1992 with a nationally representative sample of youths aged 10 t o 16 and their caretakers, and the experience of 1457 of these childre n was followed up more than a year later. Results. Exposure to a more comprehensive prevention program was not associated with reduced incid ence of victimization injury or upset. However, some of the exposure c onditions were associated with an increased likelihood that the childr en would disclose victimizations, an increased likelihood that they wo uld see themselves as having successfully protected themselves and a d ecreased likelihood that they would blame themselves for the episode. Exposed children acquired some knowledge about sexual abuse and, when actually confronted by a threat, an ability to do the things they had been taught. A nonsignificant trend was also noted toward increased in jury for exposed children during sexual assaults. Conclusion. These mi xed findings suggest that prevention educators need to plan programs b ased on realistic goals for what can be accomplished.