ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMS ON REPORTING RATES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a pervasive public health and human rights issue globally, with significant physical, psychological, and social consequences for survivors. Despite its prevalence, CSA is widely underreported due to factors such as stigma, fear of retaliation, lack of knowledge about reporting mechanisms, and limited trust in authorities. Community awareness programs have been increasingly implemented as a preventive and responsive strategy aimed at educating the public, empowering children and caregivers, and fostering supportive environments for disclosure. This study assesses the effect of community awareness programs on the reporting rates of child sexual abuse.
Using a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzes quantitative data on reported CSA cases before and after the implementation of community awareness initiatives in selected communities, alongside qualitative insights from community members, educators, health workers, and child protection officials. Key program components examined include public education campaigns, school-based training, community dialogues, and media outreach. The findings indicate a statistically significant increase in CSA reporting rates following the introduction of awareness programs, suggesting improved recognition of abuse, reduced stigma, and greater knowledge of reporting channels. Qualitative results further reveal enhanced community willingness to discuss CSA, increased confidence among caregivers and children to seek help, and improved collaboration between communities and child protection services.
However, the study also identifies challenges, including uneven program coverage, cultural resistance, and limited institutional capacity to respond to increased reports. These factors may affect the sustainability and effectiveness of awareness efforts. Overall, the findings highlight the critical role of community awareness programs in improving CSA reporting rates while underscoring the need for complementary investments in child protection systems, survivor-centered services and policy enforcement. Strengthening and scaling evidence-based community awareness initiatives can contribute.