Cochrane review: School‐based education programmes for the prevention of child sexual abuse

Abstract

Background Child sexual abuse is a significant problem that requires an effective means of prevention. Objectives To assess: if school‐based programmes are effective in improving knowledge about sexual abuse and self‐protective behaviours; whether participation results in an increase in disclosure of sexual abuse and/or produces any harm; knowledge retention and the effect of programme type or setting. Search strategy Electronic searches of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, Dissertation Abstracts and other databases using MESH headings and text words specific for child sexual assault and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted in August 2006. Selection criteria RCTs or quasi‐RCTs of school‐based interventions to prevent child sexual abuse compared with another intervention or no intervention. Data collection and analysis Meta‐analyses and sensitivity analysis, using two imputed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) (0.1, 0.2), were used for four outcomes: protective behaviours, questionnaire‐based knowledge, vignette‐based knowledge and disclosure of abuse. Meta‐analysis was not possible for retention of knowledge, likelihood of harm, or effect of programme type and setting. Main results Fifteen trials measuring knowledge and behaviour change as a result of school‐based child sexual abuse intervention programmes were included. Over half the studies in each initial meta‐analysis contained u…