Graduate Program

Family and Consumer Studies

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2006

Thesis Director

Mikki Meadows

Thesis Committee Member

Kathleen O'Rourke

Thesis Committee Member

Linda Simpson

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to complete an in depth exploration of programs designed to teach children the skills necessary to keep them safe from sexual abuse. Educational programs have been utilized to aid in the prevention and acknowledgement of childhood sexual abuse for many years. While sexual abuse programs for children are used across the United States, little contemporary research exists related to the use of these programs.

Child sexual abuse prevention programs in central Illinois schools are provided through the public schools by various non-profit community organizations. The sample of this study consisted of five organizations, each of which offered sexual abuse prevention as part of their education curriculum. Each organization was observed by the researcher while presenting their their prevention program, then each was asked to complete a survey during a face to-face intervieww. An observation instrument was designed by the researcher in order to identify variousus aspects of each program. The survey was also developed by the researcher and consisted of 11 questions that covered various topics within the program. The data collected were categorized by themes in order to identify common patterns among the various programs.

This study found many commonalities among the programs presented to chi thildren in central Illinois. Each program provided educational information to the teacher and families that spend their time with the children educated. Each program offered the same core concepts that were presented to the children. While this study provided preliminary information regarding programs in Central Illinois, further exploration is recommended in rder to fully examine these important programs in more depth.

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