PAT + Smart Parents for Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

This trial tests a program called "Smart Parents" to determine if it helps parents better protect their children from sexual abuse. It compares parents using the standard "Parents as Teachers" (PAT) program with those receiving the additional "Smart Parents" module. The trial aims to discover if the new program increases awareness and protective actions, and if these improvements persist for up to two years. Parents new to the PAT program, who speak English or Spanish, and have a child over one year old may be suitable participants. As an unphased trial, this study offers parents a unique opportunity to contribute to important research that could enhance child safety and well-being.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Research shows that the "Parents as Teachers" (PAT) program, combined with the "Smart Parents" module, receives positive feedback from families. Studies have found that families in the PAT program maintain safer homes and report fewer cases of child abuse, with a 22% lower chance of confirmed child abuse in these families.

Researchers are excited about the PAT + Smart Parents approach because it adds an innovative educational module to the existing Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, specifically targeting the prevention of child sexual abuse. Unlike standard approaches that primarily focus on general parenting skills, this method combines the proven benefits of PAT with an additional focus on empowering parents with specific strategies to protect their children from sexual abuse. This dual approach aims to enhance parental awareness and proactive involvement, potentially leading to more effective prevention outcomes.

Research has shown that the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program helps families make their homes safer and reduces child abuse, with a 22% lower chance of confirmed reports. In this trial, one group of participants will receive the Smart Parents module in addition to PAT. The Smart Parents module helps parents understand their children's sexual development and improve communication. Early results suggest that this module aids parents in recognizing and preventing child sexual abuse (CSA). Studies have demonstrated that programs like Smart Parents can be successfully implemented and help families create safer environments for children. Combining PAT with Smart Parents could enhance parents' protective actions and awareness of CSA-related issues.¹²³⁶⁷