This article describes the content and format of these prevention programs in general and examines selected programs for effectiveness. Most evaluations suffer from basic design problems and present few results indicative of either primary prevention or detection. Overall, self-protection against sexual abuse is a very complex process for any child. Few, if any, prevention programs are comprehensive enough to have a meaningful impact on the process. Several untested assumptions that guide these programs are discussed. The conclusions about whether prevention programs are working or even if they are more beneficial than harmful remain unclear. 47 references. (Author abstract modified)