Research & Evaluation
Stop It Now! relies on scientific research to develop and improve programming and tools that will help people take action to prevent sexual abuse of children and create safer communities. Since its first pilot program, Stop It Now! has used the most current scientific research, original market research, and program evaluation to develop its programs. Using a variety of methods - from focus groups to public opinion surveys to meta-analysis - and cooperating with leading researchers, we continue to build the evidence base needed for practical and effective programs and materials.
Guiding questions
How do we effectively reach adults with the information and support that will help them stop child sexual abuse - ideally before a child is ever harmed? To answer this central question, we also have to know:
- What steps can adults take that are known to help prevent sexual abuse?
- What are adults' knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on the issue?
- What makes it easier for adults to recognize warning sign behaviors and take action?
Since 1992, Stop It Now! and its community-based programs have researched and tested messages and programming to help adults recognize and confront the possibility of child sexual abuse. We have gathered market data through phone surveys of adults, and through focus groups with all adults impacted by sexual abuse, including survivors of childhood sexual abuse, people who have sexually offended, as well as the family and friends of both. We've partnered with scientists to conduct original research, while also working to bring the latest research and program results to professionals and policy makers. Our policy program relies on the latest research that assesses the impacts of current policies and legislation. We have influenced the field of sexual abuse intervention and prevention by using our communications, publications, and participation in professional meetings and committees maintain a focus on evidence-based approaches.
In 2008, we constructed a national database of the results from our local market public opinion surveys. The statistical analysis on this unique national dataset has been completed, and a summary report will be issued in the comign months. If you are interested in being notified of the report's release, please contact us.
A Sample of Stop It Now! Research and Evaluation Publications
Evalution of the Stop It Now! Vermont program
Stop It Now, Evalution of the Stop It Now! Vermont program, 2000
Child sexual abuse in African American and Latino Communities
Fontes, Lisa Aronson, M. Cruz and J. Tabachnick, Views of Child Sexual Abuse in Two Cultural Communities: An Exploratory Study among African Americans and Latinos, Child Maltreatment, Vol. 6, No. 2, 103-117. 2001.
Interview research with adults at risk of sexually abusing children
Stop It Now! Minnesota, Research Summary: Adults at Risk of Sexually Abusing Children, 2005,
http://www.stopitnow.com/mn/pdf/Ad_Release_Summary.pdf
Stop It Now! Minnesota Evaluation
Schober, Daniel J. and Stephen B. Fawcett, Ph.D. Jerry A. Schultz, Ph.D.Yvonne Cournoyer, Renee Wright, Collaborative Efforts to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse in Minnesota: An Empirical Case Study, poster, APA Summit on Violence and Abuse in Relationships, Bethesda Maryland, Feb 28-29 2008
Risk Factorsi for Perpetration of Child Sexual Abuse
Whitaker, Dan, Le B, Karl Hanson R, Baker CK, McMahon PM, Ryan G, Klein A, Rice DD. Risk Factorsi for First Time Perpetration of Child Sexual Abuse, Child Abuse Negl. 2008 May;32(5):529-48,http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18513795
