What do children know about preventing sexual assault? How can their awareness be increased?

Recent awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse of children has resulted in a move to implement prevention programs. In conducting these programs the question of effectiveness is frequently asked. In an attempt to answer some of this concern, a questionnaire was developed and tested to determine children's base level of knowledge. The video format prevention program, "Feeling Yes, Feeling No", available from the National Film Board (Canada) was tested as a method of increasing awareness. A school with a cross section of town and rural children, with differing socioeconomic backgrounds, participated in the study. The study consisted of a pretest of knowledge, a structured video interactive classroom prevention program, and a post-test measure of change. One hundred and thirty-seven students in grades 4, 5, and 6 participated. The program took 4 weeks to complete. When asked about their feelings with regard to the program, 97% of the children stated that they enjoyed it. The results indicated that while most children have a basic level of self-protective knowledge and assertiveness, they can, in a classroom setting, learn significant and additional facts about avoiding sexual assault. Eight of twenty-nine knowledge questions elicited a large change in response, suggesting increased awareness of self-protection. The most significant changes occurred with girls, the same group apparently most at risk.