Knowledge Gains Following a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program Among Urban Students: A Cluster-Randomized Evaluation

• DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2015.302594
• Publication Date: 2015-05-14T19:57:41Z
• Authors: Mary L. Pulido; Sarah Dauber; Brenda A. Tully; Paige Hamilton; Michael J. Smith; Katherine Freeman
• Keywords: Child sexual abuse

We evaluated a school-based child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention program, Safe Touches, in low-socioeconomic status, racially diverse sample.Participants were 492 second- and third-grade students at 6 public elementary schools New York City. The study period spanned fall 2012 through summer 2014. cluster-randomized classrooms to the Touches intervention or control groups assessed outcomes with Children's Knowledge of Abuse Questionnaire. Hierarchical models tested change children's knowledge inappropriate appropriate touch.The group showed significantly greater improvement than on touch. Children second grade children proportion general (vs special) education gains other participants observed no significant touch among groups.Young benefited from school-based, 1-time CSA program. Future research should explore efficacy programs before determine optimal age for participation.