NCJ Number
104261
Date Published
1986
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Bridgework Theater of Goshen, Ind., dramatizes child sexual abuse and its prevention so as to meet the needs of both children and adults by being specific yet tasteful, cost-effective, entertaining, and nonrational but capable of replication.
Abstract
Sexual abuse prevention education for children must meet both the needs of the children and the adults who control access to children. Children need a program that is specific, presents rules that apply to many situations, is simple, involves intuitive and sensorial communications, and is entertaining. Adults require a program that is tasteful, safe for children, and cost-effective. The Bridgework Theater uses actors dressed as animals to dramatize child sexual abuse and its prevention. The drama meets both the needs of children and adults by presenting specific but tasteful examples of child sexual abuse. The examples are real enough to be instructive but sufficiently unreal to be nonthreatening to children. The drama is not costly, and it can be presented to many classes at one sitting. The effectiveness of the plays is indicated in the high percentage of child viewers who can identify sexual abuse incidents and list appropriate prevention strategies. The play holds children's attention, communicates with them at an emotional level, and uses a script that permits replication. The drama must be supplemented and followed up with adult guidance and feedback discussions for the children if learning is to be maximized.