Impact evaluation of Child Assault Prevention Program for Teens – pilot study

During 2016 a pilot study was conducted within the “We are safe” project in Zagreb, Croatia. The study was designed as longitudinal study with 3 point measurements. Teens are a high risk population for violence and abuse... [ view full abstract ]

During 2016 a pilot study was conducted within the “We are safe” project in Zagreb, Croatia. The study was designed as longitudinal study with 3 point measurements. Teens are a high risk population for violence and abuse because they are twice as likely as an adult to be a victim of a violent crime and they are exposed to more violence than any other segment of our population. The Child Assault Prevention Program for Teens (Teen CAP) offers strategies to prevent this violence. Teen CAP programs utilize a three-pronged approach to prevention education: training of staff, parents and children. Its curricula strategies include self-assertion, peer support, effective communication and reporting skills. The used methodology was quantitative study with sample of 155 elementary-school pupils, 112 parents of elementary and pre-school children and 77 school workers. The purpose of this presentation is to present the key findings and learned lessons from this pilot study on effects that Child Assault Prevention Program for Teens has on final beneficiaries. Evaluation of the program's impact on young people shows that the program has an impact on the knowledge of their rights, self-confidence, knowledge and attitudes about sexual harassment/abuse. Also, after participating in the program students better recognize some forms of sexual harassment/abuse, verbal comments about body parts, jokes with sexual content, consequences of sharing own or other people's intimate photos/video clips on social networks without their permission. Pupils after the program reporte greater knowledge of 10 out of the 12 strategies that are taught in the program. It can be concluded that the program shows high effectiveness in teaching the strategies of prevention/protection from sexual harassment/abused. During spring 2017, 3 point of measurement will be implemented. The specifics of these findings will be thoroughly discussed in the presentation.