Messaging to promote the public's understanding of child sexual violence as preventable, not inevitable

Abstract

Background

Many people in the United States view childhood sexual violence (CSV) as unpreventable, which can inhibit funding for interventions and policy related to CSV prevention.

Objective

In response to widespread fatalism that CSV is inevitable, we developed and tested language to promote public perceptions of CSV as preventable.

Methods

Twenty-two communications frames were developed by experts in the field and then evaluated through two waves of online surveys. Participants and Setting: We collected data from a nationally representative sample of 5389 people in the United States.

Results

Results suggest two types of tested language (i.e., frames) were most impactful in shifting thinking toward prevention. The frames that included treatment-focused information including providing real interventions to people with sexual attraction to children shifted public thinking toward CSV prevention (e.g., frame that described an available perpetration prevention program from a third-person perspective (β = −1.79, p = .001)). Additionally, an education-focused frame decreased concerns about why CSV cannot be prevented (β = −2.21, p < .001) increased support for collective efficacy to prevent CSV and reduced a focus on costly and ineffective policies as evidenced by written responses.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that with relatively brief, targeted frames, advocates, practitioners, and researchers can help shift public perceptions about CSV. Further testing and development is needed to assess the longevity of these effects and whether additional priming or supplemental information is required to sustain perceptions of CSV as preventable. Ultimately, this study resulted in development of tools, resources, and training necessary to make the case for CSV prevention research funding and to inspire collective action. Together, we can shift the narrative and demonstrate that CSV prevention is both necessary and possible.