The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74417

Stacey B Plichta, ScD¹, Clare Houseman, PhD, RN, CS¹, Jewel S. Goodman, MPA¹, and Yan Zhang, MS². (1) College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 105 Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, 757 683-4989, splichta@odu.edu, (2) Urban Health Services, College of Health Science, Old Dominion University, 3565 Norland Court, Norfolk, VA 23513

School teachers play a critical role in the prevention and detection of child sexual abuse (CSA). ‘Knock.. Knock.. Who’s There?’ a school-based CSA prevention program utilizing puppet theatre and teacher training, sought to elicit types of CSA training materials desired by elementary school personnel. Group interviews were held with 13 personnel from three elementary schools in the metropolitan Hampton Roads area. Through a semi-structured group interview, participants were guided in discussion of types of training materials they desired. The three interviews were audio-taped and transcribed. Content analysis was performed on the transcriptions to elicit common themes. The data yielded four major categories of training needs: how to intervene when CSA is suspected, prevention strategies, interacting with law enforcement, and interacting with parents. The most wanted resource was guidance on handling CSA when the teacher suspected it, but when there were no obvious signs or symptoms. The need for developing cooperation between schools and law enforcement was also expressed. Finally, personnel wanted guidance on how to communicate with students about family life, sexuality, and sexual abuse. Personnel also commented on the need for training to be brief and focused. Training needs to focus on issues of concern to school personnel. It also needs to be targeted to the specific information needs of the teachers. The next step is to design a training video and manual for teachers to accompany the puppet show. Future research will evaluate this manual and video for its effectiveness in training school personnel.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Identify the role school personnel play in preventing and detecting child sexual abuse
• Evaluate the current training materials available to school personnel for effectiveness
• Develop and implement training modules to based on issues of concern to school personnel in recognizing suspected child sexual abuse

Keywords: Sexual Assault, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.