Evaluating policies to prevent child sexual abuse
Official title: Evaluation of the effects of child sexual abuse prevention policies on adult perpetrated child sexual abuse
Funded at Prevent Child Abuse America · NIH-11121719 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well certain laws and school programs help prevent child sexual abuse by teaching kids and adults about recognizing and reporting it, and it’s for anyone interested in making our communities safer for children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Prevent Child Abuse America NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | September 29, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $399,981 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CE003408-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121719 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include policymakers, educators, and community leaders involved in child welfare and education.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who may not receive benefit from this research include individuals who are not involved in child protection or education sectors.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of state policies aimed at preventing child sexual abuse (CSA) perpetrated by adults. It focuses on evaluating school-based education laws and other relevant policies that teach both adults and children about recognizing and reporting CSA. By forming partnerships with researchers and policy experts, the project aims to assess whether these policies lead to a decrease in CSA incidents at the population level. The research will catalog existing policies and rigorously analyze their impact over the course of four years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective prevention policies that significantly reduce the incidence of child sexual abuse.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in increasing knowledge and skills related to CSA prevention through educational programs, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Prevent Child Abuse America
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klika, Jeffry Bart — Prevent Child Abuse America
- Study coordinator: Klika, Jeffry Bart
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How state economic policies may prevent violence against children
This grant tests whether policies like tax credits, family leave, and child care subsidies at the state level can reduce child maltreatment and domestic violence against kids.
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Policies that prevent child sexual abuse: how state rules affect adult-perpetrated abuse
A large, national effort tests whether school and community policies aimed at preventing child sexual abuse actually reduce abuse by adults.
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How school and state policies may prevent adult-perpetrated child sexual abuse
This project looks at whether state and school policies that teach adults and children about child sexual abuse lead to fewer cases of abuse against children.
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How state economic policies could reduce child abuse and family violence
This project looks at whether state economic policies—like paid family leave, child tax credits, childcare subsidies, minimum wage increases, and refundable earned income tax credits—can lower child abuse and intimate partner violence affecting families.
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Evaluating how state policies can prevent violence against children
This study looks at how different state programs, like tax breaks and paid family leave, can help stop violence against children and improve their safety, so families can thrive in a healthier environment.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.