Interestingly, I logged on yesterday and checked my PMs. Nine days ago, Skallywagger, aka, “sf,” sent me the following nasty message: Um, We Are Not Impressed with wt literature apologists. Please stop promoting it.
Thank you, kindly. For Now.
My response to him was to f*** off, and this thread is dedicated to him. : )
REVIEW
Recently, I posted on a thread discussing child abuse and a chapter from the Great Teacher book. The thread originator, Life Is To [sic] Short (LITS) took issue with both the picture and the advice given.
I (and a few others) did not think the advice and/or the picture harmful, but there was some variance; some did not think the picture appropriate. The thread quickly devolved into incredibly histrionic charges that Fleaman and I were WTBTS apologists who support its child abuse policies. Lady Lil generously volunteered ‘to educate’ me concerning child abuse; she did not know that I am a child abuse survivor who had researched the issue upon reaching adulthood. I discerned that these overly emotive responses were likely the result of LITS’ and Lady Lil’s past experiences that are still very raw for them, so I withdrew from the thread.
Nevertheless, during the course of posting to the aforementioned thread, I had ordered from my school’s library a few authoritative, academic articles concerning the efficacy of child abuse prevention programs, but they were not delivered to my email account until after I decided not to post on that thread.
In response to sf’s PM, I have decided to give a brief synopsis of the information.
CHILD ABUSE STUDIES
There are very few studies examining the efficacy of child sexual abuse resistance programs. Studies from the mid-1990s indicate that children who participate in these programs are more likely to use self-protection strategies, including saying “no.” In addition, they disclose abuse more frequently and more quickly, and they perceive themselves as being better able to resist. Most importantly, even when their strategies fail (they say “no,” but it still happens), the children feel empowered. They self-report that their strong actions reduced the amount/type of abuse that occurred. This is in direct conflict with LITS/LL’s complaint that the children would feel responsible, as if they did not do enough to stop their own abuse.
Nevertheless, there was concern than this empowerment came with a cost. There was conflicting information in the three studies as to whether “aggressive resistance” (physically fighting back during the abuse) increased physical injury. The first study indicated a weak correlation between the two, but the correlation disappeared with further research, so this critical issue needs to be examined.
An Exploratory Study of Victim Resistance in Child Sexual Abuse: Offender Modus Operandi and Victim Characteristics Sex Abuse March 1, 2010 22: 25-41
Finkelhor, D., Asdigian, N., & Dziuba-Leatherman, J. (1995a) The effectiveness of victimization prevention instruction: An evaluation of children’s responses to actual threats and assaults. Child Abuse and Neglect, 19, 141-153.
Finkelhor, D., Asdigian, N., & Dzuiba-Leatherman, J. (1995b). Victimization prevention programs for children: A follow-up. American Journal of Public Health, 85. 1684-1689.
Recent articles cite to a study I posted in the original thread. It is a study based on offender self-reporting which indicates that say “no” and being asserted is the most effective strategy. Smallbone, S. & Wortley, R. (2000). Child sexual abuse in Queensland: Offender characteristics and modus operandi. Brisbane, Australia: Queensland Crime Commission.
Sadly, there is little evidence that these programs prevent child abuse, but they do seem to help these children cope with the results via the feeling of empowerment they experience from using their resistance techniques. My personal opinion is that increased reporting may be the biggest benefit because the sooner the perpetrator is reported, the sooner he/she can be incarcerated, which could reduce the total number of victims.
In sum, there is no evidence that these programs prevent abuse, but they teach effective resistance strategies—such as forcefully saying “no”—that can stop the offender in his/her tracks. In addition, even when the strategies fail to stop the abuse, the child feels like he/she minimized the duration or level of abuse, and these children are much more likely to report. Therefore, there is nothing especially wrong with the information in the Great Teacher book, and the picture is only slightly more dramatic than the video snippet listed below. Lasly, these studies totally debunk LITS' and LL's contention that such information is dangerous because it leaves the child feeling responsible if abuse occurs.
In addition to those already cited, here are some of the studies I examined for those who are interested:
Victim Resistance in Child Sexual Abuse: A Look Into the Efficacy of Self-Protection Strategies Based on the Offender's Experience J Interpers Violence June 1, 2011 26: 1868-1883
Preventing Sexual Abuse and Assault Sex Abuse October 1, 1999 11: 267-278.
PRESENT-DAY PROGRAMS
It appears that schools are teaching programs that are similar to those taught to my daughters, though they have expanded them to include other issues such as not playing with fire and saying “no” to other children as well as adult.
Here is a link to some sample materials: http://www.cfchildren.org/Portals/0/TAT/TAT_DOC/PreK-G3_Lesson_Samples_TAT.pdf
Here is a link to excerpts (scroll down) from some of their videos: http://www.cfchildren.org/talking-about-touching.aspx
LITS in particular objected to the anatomically correct terms, such as vagina, used in the book. I believe that the brother giving the talk releasing the revised GT book specifically mentioned that, per current expert recommendation, the book used the correct terminology—perhaps someone has a copy of the manuscript? While researchers recommend that parents use these terms, this program recognizes that many parents have unfounded concerns about doing so. Therefore, they have adjusted their program to accommodate these (wacko) parents and instead use the term, ‘parts covered by bathing suits.’
http://www.cfchildren.org/Portals/0/TAT/TAT_DOC/Prevention_Research_TAT.pdf