Preventing adolescent abuse

Abstract

High school-level child abuse prevention programs are described and critically examined. Programs are typically less than two hours, focused on date rape and sexual abuse prevention and reporting, and not integrated into existing family life education programs. Little attention is given to neglect or emotional abuse. Instructional methods are typically limited to demonstration and lecture with less use of more powerful techniques such as peer instruction and student-to-student role plays. The four goals of high school child maltreatment prevention programs are articulated and appraised. Implications for decision making about the emphasis, form, and sequencing of child abuse prevention content are forwarded.