Examination of Parents’ Attitudes Toward and Efforts to Discuss Child Sexual Abuse Prevention with Their Children

Abstract Prevention efforts for child sexual abuse (CSA) have focused on programming for children through schools while few parent-based programs are available in the community. Research over the past few decades show that parents lack access to such programs and aren't actively discussing CSA concepts with their children and continue to possess incorrect knowledge about risks. This study aims to analyze parents’ attitudes toward CSA, and their engagement in discussions about CSA with children. Three hundred and two parents completed an online survey. This study employed a concurrent mixed methods research design. Descriptive data analysis focused on exploring the relationships between socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about sexual abuse prevention, and communication about sexual abuse prevention. Qualitative analysis focused on exploring parents’ needs in the context of CSA prevention education. While parents engaged in such discussions, they still desired more information from trusted sources and needed developmentally appropriate materials. Parents reported the need for education through courses, trainings, and/or support groups. The prevention concepts parents talked to their children about differed based on the gender of the child, as well as the marital status of the parent. Single parents discussed less CSA concepts than married. White/Non-Latinx parents were more educated about sexual abuse compared to Latinx parents and talked to their children more about prevention concepts. Parents also discussed CSA with girls more compared to boys.