Peer-reviewed article
Knowledge, Attitudes, Self-Efficacy of Children About Prevention of Sexual Violence Against Children
Muhammad Fasya Tisnawan, Linda Suwarni, Selviana Selviana, Vidyastuti Vidyastuti, Widya Lestari ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study surveyed 396 children aged 12-17 in Pontianak City, Indonesia to assess their knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy regarding sexual violence prevention. The research found that most children had poor knowledge about sexual violence, low self-efficacy to prevent it, and more than half had experienced sexual violence. The study highlights the need for comprehensive interventions involving parents to help protect children from sexual violence.
Key points
- 68.9% of children had poor knowledge of sexual violence against children and its prevention
- 55.8% of children held unsupportive attitudes toward sexual violence
- 47.5% of children had low self-efficacy in preventing sexual violence
- 56.6% of children reported having experienced sexual violence
- Parents are identified as a key first environment for prevention interventions
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study with no comparison group, so it cannot establish causality or test whether knowledge gaps actually contribute to higher rates of sexual violence. The study describes prevalence but does not evaluate an intervention to improve knowledge, attitudes or self-efficacy.
Abstract
Child sexual violence is a global problem and tends to increase from time to time. The lack of knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy in children about the concept of sexual violence is a contributing factor to sexual violence against children. However, data on children's knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy regarding the prevention of sexual violence are still limited. This study aimed to describe children's knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy towards the prevention of sexual violence and the incidence of sexual violence in children. This research is quantitative with a cross-sectional study approach. The population of this study was children aged 12-17 years in Pontianak City, with a total sample of 396 people. Proportional random sampling was used in six sub-districts in Pontianak City. Data analysis used univariate analysis in the form of percentages. The study results found that 68.9% had poor knowledge of sexual violence against children and its prevention, 55.8% were unsupportive of sexual violence, 47.5% had low self-efficacy in preventing sexual violence, and 56.6% of children had experienced sexual violence. A comprehensive intervention strategy is needed for parents as the first environment known to children to prevent sexual violence against children.