Abstract
Children with learning disabilities are at greater risk of being victims of sexual abuse in schools. This paper discusses 4th year pre-service school counsellors’ specific knowledge related to self-confidence and skills to execute the prevention and support processes on the topic of sexual abuse in children with learning disabilities. Qualitative research data from the questionnaire answers received from 80 pre-service school counsellors were analysed using thematic analysis with an action research format. The results demonstrated that their preparation program was inadequate and needed more content relating to child sexual abuse. The results also showed that the knowledge of the pre-service school psychologists related to sexual abuse, the prevention and support processes for sexual abuse increased significantly after application of the action research content. These results are promising, but more research is needed to see if the increased knowledge in turn leads to application in practice and better care for victims.
 Keywords: Childhood sexual abuse; school psychologist; learning disabilities; action research, prevention and support processes.
Highlights
IntroductionIn all psychological counselling practices, one of the most important parts of the intervention process is the psychological counsellor and the psychological counsellor is the person who specializes in the helping skills (Lambert & Ogles, 2004; Voltan- Acar, 2001; Serin, Ozbulak & Serin, 2012) Along with many components of an effective psychological counselling process, some of the most important factors are the knowledge, skills and competence of the psychological counsellor, who plays an active role in the process (Beutler et al, 2004)
In all psychological counselling practices, one of the most important parts of the intervention process is the psychological counsellor and the psychological counsellor is the person who specializes in the helping skills (Lambert & Ogles, 2004; Voltan- Acar, 2001; Serin, Ozbulak & Serin, 2012) Along with many components of an effective psychological counselling process, some of the most important factors are the knowledge, skills and competence of the psychological counsellor, who plays an active role in the process (Beutler et al, 2004).Such a prominent position of the psychological counsellors within the society implies their importance as well as laying certain burdens on them
The fact that 7 participants stated that this study will be beneficial to other teachers, 9 participants stated that this study will be beneficial to families and 10 participants stated that this study will be beneficial to every individual serving children in the society was added in the Evaluation Observation Form without any request by the researcher
Summary
In all psychological counselling practices, one of the most important parts of the intervention process is the psychological counsellor and the psychological counsellor is the person who specializes in the helping skills (Lambert & Ogles, 2004; Voltan- Acar, 2001; Serin, Ozbulak & Serin, 2012) Along with many components of an effective psychological counselling process, some of the most important factors are the knowledge, skills and competence of the psychological counsellor, who plays an active role in the process (Beutler et al, 2004) Such a prominent position of the psychological counsellors within the society implies their importance as well as laying certain burdens on them. When supported by modern and flexible programs used in the pre-service education, qualified psychological counsellors and guides who can meet the dynamic needs of society could be raised
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