Effectiveness of the child sexual abuse prevention program

Objectives: Based on Rogers’ protection motivation theory, the threat of sexual abuse was evaluated in this study. The results confirmed that belief in one’s ability to cope with threats resulted in a change in behavior. The study aim was to lay the foundation for preventing child sexual abuse by helping children recognize its seriousness and<br/>their vulnerability and respond verbally and behaviorally to sexual abuse situations by enhancing their self-efficacy. Methods: Data were collected between July and September 2021. The study participants were fourth graders registered at a children’s center in G City. Each of the experimental and control groups included 22 children. The experimental group participated in six programs twice a week. Each session lasted 40 minutes. The control group was provided with the “Guide for the Prevention of Child Sexual Violence”. Results: In the experimental group, sexual abuse perception, self-efficacy, and the ability to cope with sexual abuse showed statistically significant effects over time that continued for four weeks. Conclusion: This program was found to be an effective intervention for improving children’s perceptions of sexual abuse, their self-efficacy, and the ability to cope with threats of sexual abuse.