The Role of Parents in Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: Evaluation of Previous Knowledge and the Results of a Training Program

Abstract

[EN]Introduction. Child sexual abuse is a widespread type of abuse that has extremely negative effects on victims, both in the short and long term. Parents can play a key role in preventing sexual abuse, provided that they are aware of the risk and pass on this information appropriately to their children. This study evaluates the prior knowledge of a group of parents and the changes that were made after taking part in a training program on the prevention of child sexual abuse. Methods. The sample was 252 parents (8- to 12-year-old children), were evaluated before and after taking part in a training program on sexual abuse, in 2020. The parents completed a questionnaire including items for assessing knowledge on child sexual abuse, parent–child communication about this topic and responses to a possible disclosure of abuse. Results. Parents showed in the prior evaluation a significant lack of knowledge of child sexual abuse and scarce skills to detect and accept it. After taking part in the program, parents significantly improved their knowledge about this risk and their perceived ability to cope. Conclusions. The low level of knowledge of the parents on this subject and the number of inaccurate beliefs reveal the need to include them in sexual abuse prevention programs.