Professores como agentes de prevenção do abuso sexual infantil: avaliação de um programa de capacitação
Abstract
The topic of this study is primary and secondary child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention in
the educational area. The study goals involved planning, implementation and assessment
of an intervention program in which teachers acted as CSA prevention agents. The first
study step was the program planning based on others experiences described in the
literature. Secondly, the program was implemented with 101 pre-school teachers in São
Carlos, Brazil, 2.918 children (teachers students aged 4-6 years), and 2.732 children s
family members. The program was implemented twice, with 52 and 49 teachers in the
first and second time, respectively. Each group was divided into three sub-groups in
order to receive the intervention. The program involved a theoretical section with
teachers and a workshop conducted by teachers with children and family members. The
third part involved the program assessment. Indicators of Sexual Abuse (IAS) data was
obtained from 101 teachers at three different moments: before to the intervention, in the
middle and at the end of the intervention. Teachers Drill on Child Abuse Identification
data was obtained before and after the intervention. IAS and Family Members Drill on
Child Abuse Identification data was obtained from 101 family members before and after
the workshops conducted by teachers. The Drill on Self-Protective Skills Acquisition for
Children data was obtained from 96 children before and after workshops conducted by
teachers. IAS teachers results showed that they increased their knowledge about CSA
specific symptoms. However, no changes in teachers knowledge about CSA nonspecific
symptoms were observed. There was an increase in the percentage of
appropriate answers from teachers in Teachers Drill on Child Abuse Identification.
Family members IAS results showed no changes in their knowledge about CSA specific
or non-specific symptoms. After the workshops, there was an increase in the percentage
of appropriate answers by family members in Family Members Drill on Child Abuse
Identification and children s performance in the Drill on Self-Protective Skills
Acquisition for Children. In order to assess the impact of the program in the community,
the number of CSA cases notified were identified from 2002 to 2005, in São Carlos. The
data obtained showed an increase of CSA cases notified after the program, as well as an
increase of reported cases involving young children s victimization. Simultaneously with
the program, the teachers received consultation on how to identify CSA suspected cases
in their schools. When sexual abuse suspicion was confirmed, the case was reported by
teachers. In general, the program s assessment had an important impact in the schools
and community as well. The need to plan and assess CSA preventive actions in others
sectors of society is discussed.