Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs in Asia: A Systematic Review

Child sexual abuse prevention is an important issue globally; yet, relevant research in Asia remains limited. This systematic review integrates evaluative studies on child sexual abuse prevention programs in Asian countries. Our review identified 17 qualifying studies published before September 2020 to identify trends in program design, outcomes, cultural applicability, and broader implications. We concluded that (1) Asian children, parents, and educators are generally able to benefit and obtain specific knowledge and skills from child sexual abuse prevention programs; (2) Western-developed programs such as body safety training appear generally applicable and effective when delivered in the Asian context; (3) similar to other populations, Asian participants report minimal unintended side effects after participating in child sexual abuse prevention programs; and (4) even more so than Western countries, there is a notable lack of programs or corresponding research targeting potential child sexual abuse perpetrators as the prevention program audience. Importantly, the review highlighted the pressing need for more methodologically rigorous research, especially in Asia, to produce more generalizable insights on effective child sexual abuse prevention.

Duke Scholars

Author Katie Davis Rosanbalm Sanford School of Public Policy