Effective teaching strategies for child sexual abuse prevention: A rapid evidence check

Investigators

Sebastian Trew, Douglas Russell, Professor Daryl Higgins, Institute of Child Protection Studies; Professor Kerryann Walsh, Queensland University of Technology

Funding

Bravehearts Foundation

Aims

The project reviewed evidence of effective teaching strategies for child sexual abuse prevention programs for children in pre-school and the early years of primary school aged 2 to 8 years. The aim was to enhance understandings of effective:

• Content: subject matter, ideas or themes shown as effective in improving children’s protective behaviours and knowledge about sexual abuse prevention
• Methods: instructional techniques demonstrated to help children learn the desired content (e.g., rehearsal, modelling)
• Delivery modes: proven ways of delivering content to best support and enable learning of pre-schoolers and children in the early primary school years.

Details

Bravehearts approached the Institute for support with the rapid evidence check. Bravehearts delivers a school-based program titled, Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure. The program teaches children body ownership and personal safety skills and knowledge. The intent is to help reduce the risk of sexual assault and bullying.

The evidence check will help Bravehearts understand better what content, teaching methods and delivery modes are effective in improving children’s protective behaviours and knowledge about sexual abuse prevention. This knowledge will help inform decisions that Bravehearts makes on how to appropriately digitise the content of the Ditto program.

Findings

Download - Three effective ways to prevent child sexual abuse in schools (PDF, 76KB)

Download - Four issues to address in child sexual abuse prevention education programs (PDF, 286KB)

Publications

Trew, S., Russell, D. H., Higgins, D. J., & Walsh, K. (2021). Effective delivery methods and teaching strategies for child sexual abuse prevention: A rapid evidence check. Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University. DOI: 10.26199/rdbq-xm46

Contact

For more information contact Sebastian Trew