An evaluative study of the Child Abuse Research and Education Program

Taylor, Sandra (1991) An evaluative study of the Child Abuse Research and Education Program. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Child Abuse Research and Education Program (C.A.R.E.), a program produced by the Child Abuse Research and Education Productions Association of British Columbia in 1981. The C.A.R.E. Program, which is used in grades kindergarten to grade 3 in many schools across Canada, was developed as a program for the prevention of child sexual abuse. In order to determine the impact that involvement with the C.A.R.E. Program had on grade 3 students, and on their teachers and parents, a modified version of the Children's Assertiveness Inventory was administered to 443 students, 299 of whom had received instruction in the C.A.R.E. Program and 144 of whom had not received such instruction. A Likert-type questionnaire was constructed and administered to 443 parents, 299 of whom had children in the C.A.R.E. Program and 144 of whose children had no such experience. A similiar Likert-type questionnaire was constructed and administered to 50 primary teachers, 27 of whom had taught the C.A.R.E. Program and 23 of whom did not have such an experience. -- The C.A.R.E. Program had no effect on children's perception of their ability to assert themselves with persons older than themselves. However, the C.A.R.E. Program seems to have enhanced the students' ability to assert themselves in negative social situations with their peer group. In general, the study found that both parents and teachers had knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about child sexual abuse consistent with those advocated by 'experts' in this field. However, it appears that in some areas, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs are strengthed by participation in the C.A.R.E. Program and in child sexual abuse orientation meetings. Also, there are some aspects of child sexual abuse that appear to challenge the understanding of both parents and teachers. -- Generally, the study found significant support from both parents and teachers for school-based child sexual abuse prevention programs, and, in particular a strong endorsement of the C.A.R.E. Program. However, some limitations of the Program are noted and some suggestions are made. -- This Report concludes with a detailed summary of the results and a set of recommendations.

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