Date of Publication
6-1-2022
Abstract
Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with longitudinal repercussions in academic performance and physical and psychological health outcomes (1). Vermont passed Act 1 in 2009 aiming to mitigate the incidence of CSA via school-based curricula. Act 1 requires each district to have organized training on CSA for its employees and lessons for students at every grade level (2). This project surveyed six schools in Vermont to evaluate how districts have aimed to meet the mandate, obstacles they have encountered, and subjective efficacy of their current program.
Methods: Individuals involved with CSA prevention programs from six VT schools (preK-8th grade) were interviewed. Interviews addressed 1) efficacy of CSA prevention program in use, 2) parental involvement, and 3) general thoughts. Interview transcripts were coded to identify key concepts and beliefs. Lastly, codes were grouped into minor themes, which were assessed and compared to establish overarching themes.
Results: Many of the CSA programs addressed inappropriate behavior, standing up for yourself, sexuality, and the fear of speaking out. Shared obstacles for the schools included: time restriction in student and educator schedules, financial barriers including the cost of purchasing an effective program and hiring staff to teach it, and lack of parental involvement.
Conclusions: This study explored how six Vermont school districts have incorporated CSA education in response to Act 1. Overall, the educators expressed a dire need for a state-sponsored and standardized curriculum that is relatable for students and regularly updated, strict specifications for who should teach the curriculum, and clarity on the parental and/or community involvement.
Advisor(s)
Tom Delaney, PhD
Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont
Marcie Hambrick, PhD, MSW
Community Agency Mentor
Agency
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT)
Subjects
Child and Adolescent Development, Children, Community, Early and Middle Childhood, Health-Related Quality of Life & Well-Being, Social and Community Context, Violence Prevention
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License
Recommended Citation
French, Kate A.; Giangregorio, Luke; Glessner-Fischer, Annie; Kramer, Zachary; Little, Casey; Rzemien, Matthew R.; Song, Paige; and Wyn, Jessica, "Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: Educators' Perspectives on School-Based Curricula in Vermont" (2022). Public Health Projects, 2008-present. 361.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/361