Evaluating Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Prevention in Schools: The Impact of Leadership, Policies, and Training

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 1:45 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Improving State, District, and Local Policies and Programs to Better Serve Students (Table 12)

Abstract

This proposal aims to examine the efficacy of a training to prevent educator sexual misconduct (ESM) in schools in the U. S. The study uses interviews as well as a stepped-wedge design for the administration of surveys to examine school employee behaviors, attitudes and beliefs related to boundary crossing and sexual misconduct in schools. The sample includes participants from 63 schools across nine states. While the data is still being examined, preliminary results show increased awareness and willingness to report ESM among participants following the training. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive training and policies in fostering safer school environments and provides information to support future research in preventing child sexual abuse (CSA) in educational institutions.

Authors

• Charol Shakeshaft, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Kellie E. Carlyle, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Abigail H. Conley, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Niloofar Ramezani, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Emiola Oyefuga, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Stacie Lefeavers, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Julie Russo, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Anneliese Smilde, ChildUSA