Policies that prevent child sexual abuse: how state rules affect adult-perpetrated abuse
Official title: CE22-003 - Evaluation of the effects of child sexual abuse prevention policies on adult perpetrated child sexual abuse
Funded at Prevent Child Abuse America · NIH-11416071 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large, national effort tests whether school and community policies aimed at preventing child sexual abuse actually reduce abuse by adults.
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, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $399,988 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CE003408-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416071 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group; the study targets populations impacted by policies at the state level.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits to individuals may be limited unless their state adopts effective policies or participates in related program implementations.
What this research studies
This project partners researchers, policy experts, and practitioners to catalog and rigorously evaluate state policies that require or encourage CSA prevention education in schools. Over several years, it will examine how these policies relate to real-world outcomes in adult-perpetrated CSA, using data from multiple states to understand population-level effects. The study focuses on policies like school-based CSA education for adults and youths, reporting strategies, and other related protections. By aligning research with policy implementation, the team hopes to identify which approaches are most promising for preventing CSA before it starts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide lawmakers and educators toward policies that reduce the risk of adults committing CSA.
How similar studies have gone: There is some evidence that education and reporting training improve knowledge and reporting, but rigorous population-level effects on CSA prevention are not well established.
Where this research is happening
-
Prevent Child Abuse America
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klika, Jeffry Barton — Prevent Child Abuse America
- Study coordinator: Klika, Jeffry Barton
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.