Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

School-Based Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs

Questions, Answers, and More Questions

  • Chapter
Handbook of Child Abuse Research and Treatment

Part of the book series: Issues in Clinical Child Psychology ((ICCP))

Abstract

In response to the growing awareness of the extent and consequences of child sexual abuse (CSA: see Chapter 20), many programs to prevent its occurrence have been developed and disseminated since the 1980s. In contrast to efforts to prevent the physical abuse or neglect of children (which attempt to modify adult behavior), the focus of CSA prevention efforts has been primarily to alter the knowledge and skills of children, through group-based instruction on personal safety, usually conducted in educational (preschool or elementary school) settings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abrahams, N., Casey, K., & Daro, D. (1992). Teachers’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about child abuse and its prevention. Child Abuse & Neglect, 16, 229–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asdigian, N. L., & Finkelhor, D. (1995). What works for children in resisting assaults? Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 10, 402–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berrick J. D. (1988). Parental involvement in child abuse prevention training: What do they learn? Child Abuse & Neglect, 12, 543–553.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berrick, J. D., & Barth, R. P. (1992). Child sexual abuse prevention: Research review and recommendations. Social Work Research & Abstracts, 28, 6–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binder, R. L., & McNiel, D. E. (1987). Evaluation of a school-based sexual abuse prevention program: Cognitive and emotional effects. Child Abuse & Neglect,11, 497–506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blumberg, E. J., Chadwick, M. W, Fogarty, L. A., Speth, T. W., & Chadwick D. L. (1991). The touch discrimination component of sexual abuse prevention training: Unanticipated positive consequences. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 6,12–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boney-McCoy, S., & Finkelhor, D. (1995). Prior victimization: A risk factor for child sexual abuse and for PTSD-related symptomatology among sexually abused youth. Child Abuse & Neglect, 19,1401–1421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borkin, J., & Frank, L. (1986). Sexual abuse prevention for preschoolers: A pilot program. Child Welfare, 65, 75–82.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs, F., & Hawkins, R. M. F. (1994). Follow-up data on the effectiveness of New Zealand’s national school based child protection program. Child Abuse & Neglect, 18, 635–643.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brookhouser, P. E., Sullivan, P., Scanlan, J. M., & Garbarino, J. (1986). Identifying the sexually abused deaf child: The otolaryngologist’s role. Laryngoscope, 96,152–158.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A., & Finkelhor, D. (1986). Impact of child sexual abuse: Offenders’ attitudes about their efficacy. Child Abuse & Neglect,13, 77–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christian, R., Dwyer, S., Schumm, W. R., & Coulson, L. A. (1988). Prevention of sexual abuse for preschoolers: Evaluation of a pilot program. Psychological Reports, 62, 387–396.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cole, S. S. (1984–1986). Facing the challenges of sexual abuse in persons with disabilities. Sexuality and Disability,7, 71–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conte, J. R., & Fogarty, L. A. (1989). Attitudes on sexual abuse prevention programs: A national survey of parents. (Available from J. R. Conte, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Mailstop 354900, 4101 15th Avenue N. E., Seattle, WA 98195–6299).

    Google Scholar 

  • Conte, J. R., Rosen, C, Saperstein, L., & Shermack, R. (1985). An evaluation of a program to prevent the sexual victimization of young children. Child Abuse & Neglect, 9, 319–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cruz, V. K., Price-Williams D., & Andron, L. (1988). Developmentally disabled women who were molested as children. Social Casework, 69, 411–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Currier, L. L., & Wurtele, S. K. (1996). A pilot study of previously abused and non-sexually abused children’s responses to a personal safety program. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 5, 71–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daro, D. (1994). Prevention of child sexual abuse. The Future of Children, 4,198–223.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dreyer, L. B., & Haseltine, B. A. (1986). The Woodrow Project: A sexual abuse prevention curriculum for the developmentally disabled. Fargo, ND: Rape and Abuse Crisis Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D. (1984). Child sexual abuse: New theory and research. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D. (1990). New ideas for child sexual abuse prevention. In R. K. Oates (Ed.), Understanding and managing child sexual abuse(pp. 385–396). Sydney, Australia: Harcourt Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D., Asdigian, N., & Dziuba-Leatherman, J. (1995). The effectiveness of victimization prevention instruction: An evaluation of children’s responses to actual threats and assaults. Child Abuse & Neglect, 19,141–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D., & Dziuba-Leatherman, J. (1995). Victimization prevention programs: A national survey of children’s exposure and reactions. Child Abuse & Neglect, 19,129–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaibarino, J. (1987). Children’s response to a sexual abuse prevention program: A study of the Spider-man comic. Child Abuse & Neglect, 11,143–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, N., Berrick, J. D., Le Prohn, N., & Nyman, N. (1989). Protecting young children from sexual abuse: Does preschool training work?Lexington, MA: Lexington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harbeck, C, Peterson, L., & Starr, L. (1992). Previously abused child victims response to a sexual abuse prevention program: A matter of measures. Behavior Therapy, 23, 375–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, P., Forehand, R., Brown, C, & Holmes, T. (1988). The prevention of sexual abuse: Examination of the effectiveness of a program with kindergarten-age children. Behavior Therapy, 19, 429–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haseltine, B., & Miltenberger, R. G. (1990). Teaching self-protection skills to persons with mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 95,188–197.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hazzard, A, Kleemeier, C. P., & Webb, C. (1990). Teacher versus expert presentations of sexual abuse prevention programs. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 5, 23–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hazzard, A, Webb, C, Kleemeier, C, Angert, L., & Pohl, L. (1991). Child sexual abuse prevention: Evaluation and one-year follow-up. Child Abuse & Neglect, 15,123–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helge, D. (1992). Child sexual abuse in America—A call for school and community action. Bellingham, WA: National Rural Development Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J. L., & Jason, L. A. (1987). An evaluation of a school-based child sexual abuse primary prevention program. Psychotherapy Bulletin, 22, 36–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohl, J. (1993). School-based child sexual abuse prevention programs. Journal of Family Violence,8, 137–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D. J., Moser, J. T., & Hughes, J. (1989). Classroom training in sexual victimization awareness and prevention skills: An extension of the Red Flag/Green Flag people program. Journal of Family Violence,4, 25–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolko, D. J., Moser, J. T., Litz, J., & Hughes, J. (1987). Promoting awareness and prevention of child sexual victimization using the Red Flag/Green Flag program: An evaluation with follow-up. Journal of Family Violence, 2,11–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korbin, J. E. (1990). Child sexual abuse: A cross-cultural view. In R. K. Oates (Ed.), Understanding and managing child sexual abuse(pp. 42–58). Sydney, Australia: Harcourt Brace.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraizer, S., Witte, S. S., & Fryer, G. E., Jr. (1989). Child sexual abuse prevention programs: What makes them effective in protecting children? Children Today, 18, 23–27.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krents, E., & Atkins, D. (1985). No-Go-Tell! A child protection curriculum for very young disabled children. New York: Lexington Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krivacska, J. J. (1989). Child sexual abuse prevention programs and accusation of child sexual abuse: An analysis. Issues in Child Abuse Accusations, 1, 8–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krivacska, J. J. (1990). Designing child sexual abuse prevention programs: Current approaches and a proposal for the prevention, reduction, and identification of sexual misuse. Springfield, IL: Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaBarre, A., Hinkley, K. R., & Nelson, M. F. (1986). Sexual abuse! What is it? An informational book for the hearing impaired. St. Paul, MN. St. Paul-Ramsey Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang, B., Bogat, G. A., & McGrath, M. P. (1993). Differential understanding of sexual abuse prevention concepts among preschoolers. Child Abuse & Neglect, 17, 641–650.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller-Perrin, C. L., & Wurtele, S. K. (1988). The child sexual abuse prevention movement: A critical analysis of primary and secondary approaches. Clinical Psychology Review, 8, 313–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller-Perrin, C. L., Wurtele, S. K., & Kondrick, P. A. (1990). Sexually abused and nonabused children’s conceptions of personal body safety. Child Abuse & Neglect, 14, 99–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miltenberger, R. G., & Thiesse-Duffy, E. (1988). Evaluation of home-based programs for teaching personal safety skills to children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 21, 81–87.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moglia, R. (1986). Sexual abuse and disability. SIECUS Reports, 14, 9–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nemerofsky, A. G., Carran, D. T, & Rosenberg, L. A. (1994). Age variation in performance among preschool children in a sexual abuse prevention program. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 31,85–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nibert, D., Cooper, S., & Ford, J. (1989). Parents’ observations of the effect of a sexual abuse prevention program on preschool children. Child Welfare, 68, 539–546.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nibert, D., Cooper, S., Ford, J., Fitch, L. K., & Robinson, J. (1989). The ability of young children to learn abuse prevention. Response, 12,14–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Day, B. (1983). Preventing sexual abuse of persons with disabilities: A curriculum for hearing impaired, physically disabled, blind and mentally retarded students. Santa Cruz, CA: Network.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peraino, J. M. (1990). Evaluation of a preschool antivictimization prevention program. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 5, 520–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plummer, C. A (1993). Prevention is appropriate, prevention is successful. In R. J. Gelles and D. R. Loseke (Eds.), Current controversies on family violence(pp. 288–305). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porch, T. L., & Petretic-Jackson, P. A. (1986, August). Child sexual assault prevention: Evaluating current education workshops. Paper presented at the convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratto, R., & Bogat, G. A. (1990). An evaluation of a preschool curriculum to educate children in the prevention of sexual abuse. Journal of Community Psychology, 18, 289–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reppucci, N. D., & Haugaard, J. J. (1989). Prevention of child sexual abuse: Myth or reality? American Psychologist, 44,1266–1275.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Romano, N., Casey, K., & Daro, D. (1990). Schools and child abuse: A national survey of principals’ attitudes, beliefs, and practices. Chicago: National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryerson, E. (1984). Sexual abuse and self-protection education for developmentally disabled youth: A priority need. SIECUS Reports, 13, 6–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarno, J. A. & Wurtele, S. K. (1997). Effects of a personal safety program on preschoolers’ knowledge, skills, and perceptions of child sexual abuse. Child Maltreatment, 2, 35–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saslawsky, D. A., & Wurtele, S. K. (1986). Educating children about sexual abuse: Implications for pediatric intervention and possible prevention. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 11, 235–245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seattle Rape Relief. (1980). Sexual assault of handicapped students. Seattle, WA: Seattle Rape Relief.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sobsey, D., & Mansell, S. (1990). The prevention of sexual abuse of people with developmental disabilities. Developmental Disabilities Bulletin, 18, 51–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorenson, T., & Snow, B. (1991). How children tell: The process of disclosure in child sexual abuse. Child Welfare, 70, 3–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stilwell, S. L., Lutzker, J. R., & Greene, B. F. (1988). Evaluation of a sexual abuse prevention program for preschoolers. Journal of Family Violence, 3, 269–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swan, H. L., Press, A. N., & Briggs, S. L. (1985). Child sexual abuse prevention: Does it work? Child Welfare, 64, 395–405.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tharinger, D. J., Horton, C. B., & Millea, S. (1990). Sexual abuse and exploitation of children and adults with mental retardation and other handicaps. Child Abuse & Neglect, 14, 301–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tharinger, D. J., Krivacska, J. J., Laye-McDonough, M., Jamison, L., Vincent, G. G., & Hedlund, A. D. (1988). Prevention of child sexual abuse: An analysis of issues, educational programs, and research findings. School Psycholology Review, 17, 614–634.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tutty, L. M. (1991). Child sexual abuse: A rage of prevention options. In B. Thomlison & C. Bagley (Eds.), Child sexual abuse: Expanding the research base on program and treatment outcomes. Journal of Child and Youth Care [Special issue], 23–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tutty, L. M. (1992). The ability of elementary school children to learn child sexual abuse prevention concepts. Child Abuse & Neglect, 16, 369–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tutty, L. M. (1994). Developmental issues in young children’s learning of sexual abuse prevention concepts. Child Abuse & Neglect, 18,179–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tutty, L. M. (1995). The revised Children’s Knowledge of Abuse Questionnaire: Development of a measure of children’s understanding of sexual abuse prevention concepts. Social Work Research, 19, 112–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, D. A., McPherson, T, Blount, R., & Wolfe, V. V. (1986). Evaluation of a brief intervention for educating school children in awareness of physical and sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 10, 85–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K. (1990). Teaching personal safety skills to four-year-old children: A behavioral approach. Behavior Therapy, 21, 25–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K. (1993a). Enhancing children’s sexual development through child sexual abuse prevention programs. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 19, 37–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K. (1993b). The role of maintaining telephone contact with parents during the teaching of a personal safety program. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 2, 65–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K., Currier, L. L., Gillispie, E. I., & Franklin, C. F. (1991). The efficacy of a parent-implemented program for teaching preschoolers personal safety skills. Behavior Therapy, 22, 69–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K., Gillispie, E. I., Currier, L. L., & Franklin, C. F. (1992). A comparison of teachers vs. parents as instructors of a personal safety program for preschoolers. Child Abuse & Neglect, 16,127–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K., Kast, L. C, & Melzer, A. M. (1992). Sexual abuse prevention education for young children: A comparison of teachers and parents as instructors. Child Abuse & Neglect, 16, 865–876.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K., Kast, L. C, Miller-Perrin, C. L., & Kondrick, P. A. (1989). A comparison of programs for teaching personal safety skills to preschoolers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 505–511.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K., Kvaternick, M., & Franklin, C. F. (1992). Sexual abuse prevention for preschoolers: A survey of parents’ behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 1,113–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K., Marrs, S. R., & Miller-Perrin, C. L. (1987). Practice makes perfect? The role of participant modeling in sexual abuse prevention programs. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 599–602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K., Melzer, A. M., & Kast, L. C. (1992). Preschoolers’ knowledge of and ability to learn genital terminology. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 18,115–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K., & Miller-Perrin, C. L. (1987). An evaluation of side effects associated with participation in a child sexual abuse prevention program. Journal of School Health, 57, 228–231.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K., & Miller-Perrin, C. L. (1992). Preventing child sexual abuse: Sharing the responsibility. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurtele, S. K., Saslawsky, D. A., Miller, C. L., Marrs, S. R., & Britcher, J. C. (1986). Teaching personal safety skills for potential prevention of sexual abuse. A comparison of treatments. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 688–692.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80933-7150, USA

    Sandy K. Wurtele

Authors
  1. Sandy K. Wurtele
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Judaism, Los Angeles, California, USA

    John R. Lutzker

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wurtele, S.K. (1998). School-Based Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs. In: Lutzker, J.R. (eds) Handbook of Child Abuse Research and Treatment. Issues in Clinical Child Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2909-2_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2909-2_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-3278-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-2909-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation