Prevention
Understanding best practice and the role of professionals in preventing child sexual abuse and harmful sexual behaviours
Chelsea Farrugia
Australian Catholic University
Australian Catholic University
Active Research
Best practice for parent-focused child sexual abuse prevention education in early childhood
- Identification of child sexual abuse
- Prevention of child sexual abuse
- Response to child sexual abuse
- Understanding child sexual abuse
Research Topic areas
- Drivers of child sexual abuse
- Education
- Harmful sexual behaviours
- Institutional abuse
Project Duration
Start: January 2025
End: December 2025
Geographical Scope
Nation-wide
Populations
Parents & caregivers
Young children (0-5 years)Children (6-12 years)
Gender
All genders
Project Lead
Donio Khoshaba, Australian Catholic University
Project Team
Prof Daryl Higgins, Australian Catholic University
Douglas Russell, Australian Catholic University
Dr Megan Willis, Australian Catholic University
Prof Andrea de Silva, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
Alexandra Shriane, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
Background
When it comes to prevention and responses to child sexual abuse, parents play a crucial role by providing early education, fostering open communication, promoting their child’s self-efficacy, and establishing protective boundaries. Parents play a large role in developing their child’s understanding of their own autonomy, and early concepts of consent; yet their role in child sexual abuse prevention has been notably absent. Furthermore, children who receive age-appropriate child sexual abuse education from their parents are more likely to recognise inappropriate behaviour and disclose abuse. Therefore, educating parents on child sexual abuse can help to increase proactive and protective behaviours such as monitoring their child’s interactions with other adults and peers, or dropping in unannounced when their child is spending time alone with an adult, reducing opportunities for potential abuse.
Aims
This study aims to contribute to the literature by understanding the most effective ways to engage parents in early childhood child sexual abuse prevention education, specifically by exploring:
1) What is the best practice for parent-led child sexual abuse education in early education?
2) What are the enablers and barriers to involving parents in early childhood child sexual abuse prevention education?
1) What is the best practice for parent-led child sexual abuse education in early education?
2) What are the enablers and barriers to involving parents in early childhood child sexual abuse prevention education?
Methods
A systematic literature review examining available evidence will be conducted, following which educators and parents will be recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews.
Significance and Dissemination
This study will build upon existing literature by addressing a critical gap in parent-led child sexual abuse research – children in their early childhood. In the short term, this will provide immediate insight into how parents can be better supported to engage in effective prevention during early childhood. This has direct implications for parenting programs and early childhood education initiatives ensuring that prevention efforts begin as early as possible. In the long term, findings from this study could help government bodies, policymakers, and child safety organisations to develop more targeted resources and training programs that help empower parents to take an active role in early childhood prevention.
Further Details
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Funding body:
Australian Catholic University, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
Australian Catholic University, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
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