Enhancing Self-Confidence in High School Students through Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education (CSAPE): An Experimental Study

Abstract

The present study examines the impact of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education (CSAPE) on enhancing self-confidence among high school students. Recognizing the growing concern of child sexual abuse (CSA) and its profound effects on adolescent mental health and personal development, the study adopts a quasi-experimental design involving 84 students from two government schools in the Salem District. Participants were divided into control and experimental groups, with the latter receiving a structured CSAPE intervention comprising lectures and demonstration-based training. Pretest and posttest assessments were conducted to evaluate changes in students' knowledge, attitude, and self-confidence using validated instruments. The results, analyzed through paired sample t-tests and ANCOVA, revealed statistically significant improvements in all three domains within the experimental group, particularly in self-confidence (p < 0.001, η² = 0.72). These findings underscore the effectiveness of CSAPE in not only raising awareness about CSA but also in empowering students with the psychological resilience and assertiveness required to protect themselves. The study advocates for the integration of CSAPE into the regular school curriculum as a vital component of holistic education and adolescent safety.