2002| November | December
December, 2002
Needs Assessment Survey
and Results
by Mark Lineberger
Needs assessments are conducted for a number of reasons. They are conducted to determine employee or student performance, potential training opportunities, or how to improve an organization's goals and objectives. A need is not a want or desire. It is a gap between "what is" and "what should be".
The purpose of our needs assessment was to identify gaps in child training, parent training, professional training, and communication in relation to sex education for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This assessment allowed us the opportunity to receive feedback from a variety of individuals personally interacting with children who are deaf or hard of hearing on a daily basis.
The needs assessment consisted of four sections.
Section 1 was general questions.
Section 2 targeted parents/caregivers.
Section 3 targeted school professionals/paraprofessionals.
Section 4 targeted community professionals.
In the interest of "gap" analysis, we asked questions about current situation followed by questions regarding desired situation. Here are some examples of questions we used:
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How much time
annually is spent on sex education/abuse prevention? How much time
annually would you like to see spent on sex education/abuse prevention?
Do you feel
comfortable talking to a child about sex education/abuse prevention?
Why or why have you not talked to your child about sex education/abuse prevention? |
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As expected, the main concern and most desired component of providing appropriate abuse prevention and education was time. Time desired by professionals to educate children in this area was almost double what is currently allotted. Furthermore, preparation time for teachers is constrained. To assist in this area, we will be developing a curriculum that includes modules and activities so that teachers can pick it up and use it. Less preparation time on their part more practical time with the students.
68% of parents reported being comfortable talking to their children about sex and abuse prevention. However, only 25% of parents learn to adequately communicate with their child who is deaf or hard of hearing. So, while parents may be comfortable and try to talk with their child about sex abuse prevention, the concern is the content and effectiveness of the message received by the child. The idea here is to emphasize the importance of this topic with the parents and caregivers. Also, by providing them with materials, resources, and training, they will be able to more effectively talk with their children.
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The needs assessment has proven to be a useful tool to guide the CAPE-D/HH as we develop goals and objectives for service delivery. If you would be interested in any further information and results from the needs assessment please let us know (Email Mark Lineberger) and we will be happy to help. |
November, 2002
Prevention Strategies
By Madan Vasishta,
Ph.D.
What is the best strategy to prevent sexual abuse? This question is analogous to asking people which vitamin should be taken first. We wanted opinion of people on which strategy works best and asked this question of a group of experts.
All of us, CAPE-D/HH staff members and Principal Investigators, attended the SERID conference in Lexington, KY, on October 17-19, 2002. The conference was a huge success with almost 500 people attending it. Last year, there were only about 150 registrations. We made a presentation on our needs assessment survey findings and had an exhibition booth, which was well attended. However, in this letter I would like to share the input we received through our focus group interview.
With the daily schedule full of back-to-back presentations and other events, our biggest worry was finding people who were willing to give up their only "free time" to attend our focus group session. We were fortunate in getting 14 professionals to attend the interview. The participants represented administrators, psychologists, teachers, parents and counselors from different states. Their combined input proved to be valuable to us.
I explained to the group that this was a focus group and not a group interview and started with a warm-up exercise. The question for this exercise was: What is the best way to protect deaf children from abuse? The participants were to prioritize the six statements we had prepared by placing them in boxes for first choice or second choice and so forth. Their choices are ranked below:
1. Provide instruction
to children in healthy sexuality
2. Believe them when they complain about wrong touch
3. Take action on a complaint about wrong touch
4. Have a very strict system for entering school campus
5. Tell them about prevalence of sexual abuse
6. Tell them to never talk to strangers
One person wrote in
an additional strategy:
7. Provide Treatment for deaf sex offenders
The result of this
input is very consistent. Thirteen people choosing instruction clearly
shows the importance of providing knowledge of children about sexuality,
so they are prepared.
The second choice ("believe them") is also proven by research
we have reviewed. We hear again and again how adults reject complaints
by children being abused as they just cannot believe the accused person
is capable of such an evil action. This lack of belief leads to continuance
of abuse. A recent news story in Canada indicated how a dentist had abused
over 200 persons before he was apprehended. The reason: He was a respectable
and respected member of the community.
The third choice (taking action) is closely related to the second choice. Listening and believing are initial actions to prevent abuse and follow up steps (reporting and providing a safer environment) go with them.
We were very surprised at the popularity of "having strict system of entry to a school." Eleven people picked it as their fourth choice. From all the information we have and the literature we reviewed, it is clear that sexual abuse by a stranger who would enter a campus for this purpose is almost non-existent. We have schools with no barriers to entry and without any incidence of theft or assault on students. All incidents of theft, vandalism, and assault were attributed to staff and students. Having a military-like security system can only lead to a false sense of security and lull people into complacency.
"Telling them about prevalence of sexual abuse" was pushed down behind a strong security system to the 5th position. Knowledge is power and the book is mightier than the sword do not seem to impress some people. In our opinion, this should be the fourth choice.
The 6th choice (tell them about prevalence of sexual abuse) is obvious. Telling children about the prevalence of sexual abuse is analogous to telling people about prevalence of AIDS. We need to tell them how to protect themselves in order to help them. The 7th and final choice is a write in by one of the participants; however, we are talking about "prevention" not therapy here.