Role of Taiwanese Preschool Teachers in Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

Critics in the United States have suggested that child abuse prevention programs that focus on the child ask children to take the responsibility for their own safety. This has been a problem for Taiwan's child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention programs as well. Little attention has been paid to the roles of teachers. This study examines how preschool teachers perceive their roles in the prevention of CSA. Focus groups discussions were conducted with six preschool teachers. Three significant areas of discussion emerged: being a good teacher as well as a good observer, mandated reporting as a duty or a crisis, and finding ways to foster CSA prevention.

Key words:

• child sexual abuse
• focus group interviews
• preschool teachers