NCJ Number
144488
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: (July-August 1993) Pages: 527-538
Date Published
1993
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A sample of 51 mothers and 50 fathers of children under age 7 attending one of four preschools in Maryland were interviewed using a four-part questionnaire covering demographics, parents' knowledge of child sexual abuse, curriculum ideas for children regarding sexual abuse prevention, and parent education and interest.
Abstract
There were no differences between men and women's knowledge of child sexual abuse, but overall, the correct response rate regarding incidence, prevalence, and reporting by the child were very low. The responses showed that parents were aware of the nature and seriousness of the problem, but did not know how early to start educating children for primary prevention or teaching them how to reveal an abusive incident. Nearly all parents reported obtaining information about child sexual abuse from the media. Both mothers and fathers overwhelmingly rated themselves or their spouses as the preferred educator of their children about sexual abuse; professionals, teachers, and doctors were chosen as the preferred next choices. The topics most often chosen for inclusion in their children's curriculum included how children can identify abuse, what the child should do if he or she is being abused, and the fact that abuse is not the child's fault. Over 90 percent of the parents rated interest in the topic, qualifications of the leader, and usefulness of the information as criteria they would use in deciding whether to attend parent education programs. 19 references