NCJ Number
105392
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1987) Pages: 11-35
Date Published
1987
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated the impact of a child sexual victimization awareness and prevention program by administering pretest and posttest questionnaires to children, parents, and teachers at two schools.
Abstract
There were 333 children (95 percent of original sample) and 303 parents (90 percent) at 2-month followup and 271 children (78 percent) and 207 parents (62 percent) at 6-month posttesting. The school-based program featured the 'Red Flag/Green Flag People' coloring book, the film 'Better Safe than Sorry II', and discussion of hypothetical and actual experiences of inappropriate touching. Experimental children reported learning more about the differences between good and bad touching, were more likely to report instances of sexual victimization, and were more likely to use preventive skills than were control children. Parents exposed to program materials acknowledged greater improvements in knowledge about program goals and more positive communications at home about abuse. Although no significant differences were found for teachers, the ratings for one experimental group were significantly higher than for other groups. Staff volunteers evaluated the program as overwhelmingly positive and without adverse effects. Children from all groups reported instances of of inappropriate touching. Some of the improvements noted for the experimental groups were still apparent at 6-month followup. 3 tables and 16 references. (Author abstract modified)