Parental Knowledge about child abuse & prevention efforts Pamela Holbert, Hannah Kibler, Kimberly Sikes, Laura Thomas, and Kelsie Tobin

Introduction Child abuse occurs when a parent or caretaker physically, emotionally, or sexually abuses, neglects, or abandons a child (Pulido, 2015). Around 1 in 10 children report being sexually abused (Pulido, 2015). Fifteen percent to 32% of women reported being sexually abused as children, and 5% to 16% of men reported being sexually abused as children (Pulido, 2015). Advocating child abuse helps parents and other caregivers to understand how to recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse (Pulido, 2o15). When the parents of the children are well educated on child sexual abuse they are more capable of teaching and communicating with their children about being safe, preventing sexual exploitation, and creating an overall safe environment for their children (Pereda et al., 2009).

Problem Statement There is a lack of knowledge on child abuse and prevention efforts, therefore researchers aimed to assess the education level of parents on the issue of child abuse.

Objectives O1: To expand a level of proficiency in discussing and preventing child abuse. O2: To assess areas where improvements can be made in current child abuse education and prevention methods O3: To provide an increased awareness about child abuse in a rural community.

Hypotheses H1: More than 50% of participants have limited knowledge on child abuse. H2: There is a correlation between age and child abuse knowledge. H3: Male participants report lower levels of trauma than female participants. H4: Female participants 50 years of age or older are less likely to report severe trauma than female participants younger than 50.

Literature Review School-based child abuse prevention programs: Brassard, M.R., & C.M. Fiorvanti (2015) Prevalence of self-injury, suicidal ideation, plans and attempts in adolescents aged 13-19 years of age: Pawlowska, B, Potembska, E., Zygo, M., & Olajossy, M (2015) Prevention of child sexual abuse: evaluation of a community media campaign: Rheingold, A., Campbell, C., Self-Brown, S., de Arellano, M., Resnick, H., Kilpatrick, D. (2007)

Literature Review Continued Prevalence of sexual violence against children and use of social services: Sumner, S. A., Mercy, A. A., Saul, J., Motsa-Nzuza, N., Kwesigabo, G., Buluma, R., & ... Hillis, S. D. (2015) Evaluation of a child abuse prevention curriculum for third- Grade students: assessment of knowledge and efficacy expectations: Dake, J., Price, J., Murnan. (2002).

Theoretical Framework Cognitive Theory Developed by Jean Piaget in 1936 The research is informed by the Cognitive Theory because the thought processes of parents relates to their extent of knowledge and experiences with child abuse (McLeod, 2009).

Theoretical Framework Ecological Systems Theory Developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner in 1979 The interactions that occur within a person’s systems impact their choices and behaviors (Karakurt & Silver, 2014 ). Researcher was informed by Ecological Systems Theory when assessing the relation between parent’s knowledge of child abuse and their child’s knowledge of child abuse.

Methods & Research Design Mixed methodology study Survey consists of predeveloped demographic questionnaire, one qualitative question, two quantitative questions, and the Child Abuse Quiz Surveys collected from 125 participants Participants consisted of male and female parents, ages 25 and older, residing in Erath County Surveys were collected using convenience sampling and snowball sampling Convenience convenience sample is made up of people who are easy to reach Snowball non-probability sampling technique where existing study subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances

Analysis & Results Demographics

Analysis & Results Hypothesis 1: More than 50% of participants have limited knowledge on child abuse. Hypothesis 1 was disproved by research. However, only 10% of participants answered all 8 questions on the Child Abuse Quiz correctly.

Analysis & Results Hypothesis 2: There is a correlation between age and child abuse knowledge.

Analysis & Results Hypothesis 3: Male participants report lower levels of trauma than female participants. 41% of participants reported having experienced some trauma due to physical/psychological abuse as a child 9% of participants reported having experienced severe trauma due to physical/psychological abuse as a child 30% of male participants reported having experienced some trauma and 7% of male participants reported experiencing severe trauma due to physical/psychological abuse as a child 32% of female participants reported having experienced some trauma and 9% of female participants reported experiencing severe trauma due to physical/psychological abuse as a child Hypothesis 3 was supported by the research.

Analysis and Results Hypothesis 4: Female participants over the age of 50 are less likely to report severe trauma than female participants 50 or younger. 11% of female participants over age 50 reported severe trauma 9% of female participants age 50 and younger reported severe trauma Hypothesis 4 was invalidated by the research.

Strengths Mixed methodology survey non-probability sampling Qualitative and Quantitative data Provided a holistic view of the knowledge in the community non-probability sampling samples are selected based on the subjective judgement of the researcher, rather than random selection Convenience and Snowball sampling Cost and time efficient

Limitations Lack of diversity & randomness Biases 78% of participants are female and of the 125 participants only 22 were over the age of 50. Biases Parents 25 years or older

Ethical Considerations IRB approval was needed in order to conduct research on human participants IRB- Institutional Review Board Research topic was extremely sensitive; therefore researchers provided participants with resources for seeking help if need be

Implications for Social Work Practice The plan Use the data gathered to improve child abuse prevention education programs. Provide information to parents on the knowledge they are lacking Plans on doing so by looking over the gathered information and gauging what information parents need within the field of child abuse and neglect according to the responses provided on the surveys. It is critical to look at this analysis on a micro, mezzo, and macro level

References Brassard, M. R., & Fiorvanti, C. M. (2015). School‐based child abuse prevention programs. Psychology in the Schools, 52(1), 40-60. doi:10.1002/pits.21811 Dake, J., Price, J., Murnan. (2002). Evaluation of a child abuse prevention curriculum for third- Grade students: assessment of knowledge and efficacy expectations. Journal of School Health, 73(2), 76-82. Karakurt, G., & Silver, K. E. (2014). Therapy for Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors Using Attachment and Family Systems Theory Orientations. American Journal Of Family Therapy, 42(1), 79-91. doi:10.1080/01926187.2013.772872 Pawłowska, B., Potembska, E., Zygo, M., & Olajossy, M. (2015). Prevalence of self-injury, suicidal ideation, plans and attempts in adolescents aged 13 to 19 years of age. Polish Journal Of Public Health, 125(1), 55. doi:10.1515/pjph-2015-0025 Pereda, N., et al. (2009). The prevalence of child sexual abuse in community and student samples: A meta-analysis, Clinical Psychology Review. Pulido, M. L., Dauber, S., Tully, B. A., Hamilton, P., Smith, M. J., & Freeman, K. (2015). Knowledge Gains Following a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program Among Urban Students: A Cluster-Randomized Evaluation. American Journal Of Public Health, 105(7), 1344-1350. 7p. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.302594 Rheingold, A., Campbell, C., Self-Brown, S., de Arellano, M., Resnick, H., Kilpatrick, D. (2007). Prevention of child sexual abuse: evaluation of a community media campaign. Child Maltreatment, 12(4), 352-363. Saul McLeod published 2009, updated 2015. (2009). Jean Piaget. Retrieved October 11, 2016 Sumner, S. A., Mercy, A. A., Saul, J., Motsa-Nzuza, N., Kwesigabo, G., Buluma, R., & ... Hillis, S. D. (2015). Prevalence of sexual violence against children and use of social services - seven countries, 2007-2013. MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 64(21), 565-569 5p.