Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse - A Mixed Methodology to Assess Mothers' Knowledge and Perception

Jeeva George, Sigymol KK, Raima Lukas, Rajeswari G, Shilpi Sarkar

Abstract: Introduction: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a critical and growing global public health and social concern. It involves the exploitation of children by adults for sexual gratification or stimulation. Increasing incidence rates have underscored the urgent need for effective prevention programmes, particularly those directed toward parents. Assessing parental knowledge and perceptions is essential for planning and implementing such interventions. Method: A mixed-method design was adopted. The quantitative component involved structured interviews with 60 purposively selected mothers to collect demographic information and assess their knowledge of CSA and preventive measures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The qualitative component comprised in-depth interviews with 30 mothers, guided by open-ended questions, to explore their perceptions of CSA prevention and their roles in safeguarding children. Thematic analysis was employed to categorize responses. Results: Findings indicated that a considerable proportion of mothers demonstrated poor knowledge regarding the concept of CSA (46.3%) and sex education (56.6%). Moderate levels of knowledge were observed in relation to circumstantial factors leading to CSA (66.6%) and available reporting mechanisms (72.2%). Qualitative findings highlighted reluctance, discomfort, and fear among mothers in initiating communication with children about sex education and CSA prevention. Conclusion: The study revealed inadequate maternal knowledge of CSA and a pronounced hesitation in discussing prevention strategies with children. These findings emphasize the need for targeted parental education programmes to enhance awareness, improve confidence in communication, and strengthen preventive efforts against CSA.

Keywords: Child sexual abuse, knowledge, perception, mothers, prevention

How to Cite?: Jeeva George, Sigymol KK, Raima Lukas, Rajeswari G, Shilpi Sarkar, "Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse - A Mixed Methodology to Assess Mothers' Knowledge and Perception", Volume 14 Issue 9, September 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 229-232, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR25908155323, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR25908155323