NCJ Number
97125
Date Published
1984
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the field test in Minneapolis of a curriculum designed to prevent the sexual abuse of preschool children. The curriculum was presented in 25 preschool and day care programs during the 1983-84 school year.
Abstract
General information about sexual abuse is presented, including the prevalence of child sexual abuse, the characteristics of sexual abusers of children, and the methods abusers use to obtain the child's cooperation. Further, the factors associated with sexual abuse, including trickery, betrayal, use of authority, and secrecy, are shown to place all children at extreme risk, especially preschool children. Risk factors identified as prevalent with preschool children include their trust of adults, their information about the world coming from adults, and their often being in the care of adults other than their parents. The discussion emphasizes the need for information to be given these children through age-appropriate materials and activities as a way of counteracting risk factors. Criticisms of the curriculum's field test are offered. Suggestions of parents and participating teachers recommend more interaction with the child, more one-on-one participation, repetition of key points, increased use of puppets and dolls, and elimination of the film entitled 'Who Do You Tell?' Materials needed by teachers using the revised curriculum are listed, and the planned retesting of the curriculum is noted. Three footnotes are included, as are a story, a dialogue, and a song used in the course.