Primary prevention

Efforts to prevent child sexual abuse focus on education of children to avoid potentially abusive situations. Criticisms of prevention programs point to the fact that many perpetrators are trusted caretakers and therefore have ready access to their victims. In addition, the power differential between perpetrators and their child victims precludes self-defense. However, meta-analyses have shown some benefit in these programs. The most common sexual abuse prevention efforts are school- or classroom-based, with components for children, teachers, and parents. Children learn valuable skills from these programs, but their effect on victimization rates remains unproven.[22][23][24][25][26]

Efforts to reduce sexual assault largely focus on education of potential victims, although legislation may also be relevant (e.g., legislation on alcohol, as alcohol is a major risk factor for sexual assault and is often easily and cheaply available; legislation for care facilities requiring criminal checks, criminal prosecution of offenders, and decreased isolation of patients). Other messages relate to minimizing vulnerability, for example increasing awareness of the risks of leaving a drink unguarded in a public place, of mixing drugs and alcohol, and of using unlicensed taxicabs. Further prevention initiatives have focused on vulnerable groups: for example, women with intellectual disabilities and new mothers.[27][28] Education campaigns to encourage reporting and development of accessible and sensitive services for those who have been sexually assaulted enables early intervention to prevent longer-term morbidity.[27]​ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed an educational program designed to reduce sexual violence by promoting social norms that protect against violence, teaching skills to prevent sexual violence, and fostering the creation of protective environments.[29]

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