The relationship between parental awareness of sexual abuse and children’s skills to say “no”

Abstract

Introduction Child sexual abuse is a global and multidimensional social problem and causes devastating and permanent psychological, emotional, cognitive, behavioural, physical, sexual and interpersonal sequelae. This study examines the relationship between the ability to say “no” and parental awareness of sexual abuse in 4th grade primary school students.

Methods The study was conducted between April 2022 and June 2022 in primary schools in the central district of a province in north-eastern Turkey. The sample consisted of 310 students enrolled in 4th grade and their parents. We collected the data through a personal information form, the Ability to Say “No” Scale for Children and the Sexual Abuse Awareness Scale for Parents.

Results There was a weak positive correlation between the mean maternal scores of sexual abuse awareness and the mean scores of refusal and resistance in children (P < .05), as well as a weak positive correlation between the mean paternal scores of sexual abuse awareness and the mean scores of refusal and resistance in children (P < .05).

Conclusion As mothers’ and fathers’ awareness of sexual abuse myths and of teachings and actions to combat sexual abuse increased, the refusal of children also increased. Also, as fathers’ awareness of the signs of sexual abuse increased, children’s refusal increased.