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Showing Promise: Mass Media as a Community Tool for Preventing Sexual Abuse

NCJ Number
113672
Date Published
1987
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This booklet describes a model for mass media programming in child sexual abuse prevention in conjunction with extensive community organizing and education.
Abstract
Project Abuse, which aired in Minnesota in 1984, was a collaborative effort of Illusion Theater, numerous social service agencies, and WCCO-TV. Project goals were to saturate the media with information on child sexual abuse; identify the problem of child sexual abuse and provide information on prevention; forge cooperation between media and human service agencies; provide outreach to schools, churches, and other community groups; and coordinate service delivery systems. This booklet provides instruction on how to organize for the various project components. Project components encompassed public service announcements, news reports, sexual abuse prevention education, adult and children's programming, a parents' program, and a town meeting. Guidelines are provided for organizing the community through a core committee. Other issues discussed include a hotline and school involvement. Program results, evaluation criteria, and tools are discussed. Program resources and where they may be obtained are listed.