Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a critical global and local issue, with judicial cases in Turkey doubling between 2015 and 2023. This study investigates the psychosocial mechanisms that contribute to the secrecy and prevalence of CSA. Specifically, it examines how ebeveyn (parental) beliefs in CSA myths—scientifically unfounded but widely held stereotypes—influence sexual communication skills and digital parenting awareness.
Method: The study utilized a relational survey model with a sample of 362 parents living in Turkey who have at least one child aged 6-12. Data were collected using the:
•   Childhood Sexual Abuse Myth Scale - Parent Form
•   Parental Sexual Communication Scale
•   Digital Parenting Awareness Scale
•   General Belief in a Just World Scale
The complex interactions were analyzed using the Hayes PROCESS Macro (Model 14), positioning CSA myths as the independent variable, sexual communication as the dependent variable, digital parenting as the mediator, and Just World Belief (JWB) as the moderator.
Results (Primiry Findings)
Based on the initial analysis of the 362 participants, the following preliminary results were obtained:
Negative Correlation with Communication: There is a significant negative relationship between CSA myth acceptance and sexual communication skills. As parents' belief in myths (e.g., "children invite abuse") increases, their ability to establish open, age-appropriate sexual communication decreases. Impact on Digital Parenting: Higher belief in CSA myths is associated with lower digital parenting skills. Parents who subscribe to these myths are less likely to effectively monitor and protect their children from online risks such as cyber-grooming or exposure to inappropriate content. The Role of Just World Belief (JWB): Preliminary data supports the hypothesis that parents with a high General Just World Belief are more likely to endorse CSA myths. This suggests that the psychological need to see the world as "fair" leads to cognitive distortions like victim-blaming and the denial of abuse frequency. Moderated Mediation (Model 14): Initial findings indicate that JWB acts as a significant moderator in the relationship between digital parenting and sexual communication. The effectiveness of digital awareness in facilitating better home communication is conditioned by the parent's underlying belief in a just world. Barriers to Disclosure: Myths such as "stereotyping the perpetrator" (e.g., believing married or "clean-cut" people don't abuse) continue to pose a significant risk by creating a false sense of security, which hinders parents from recognizing actual threats.
Conclusion
These preliminary findings suggest that intervention programs should not only focus on providing information but also on dismantling CSA myths and addressing deep-seated psychological beliefs like Just World Belief. Enhancing both digital awareness and sexual communication is vital to breaking the cycle of secrecy surrounding child abuse in the digital age.
The current study, conducted with 362 parents, provides critical insights into the psychosocial barriers to child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention in Turkey. The findings primarily demonstrate that CSA myths function as a significant cognitive barrier, negatively predicting both sexual communication skills and digital parenting strategies. This suggests that when parents subscribe to scientifically unfounded stereotypes—such as the belief that children "invite" abuse or that perpetrators are always "strangers"—they become less equipped to engage in protective dialogues or monitor digital risks effectively.
Theoretical Implications: The Paradox of Just World Belief
A pivotal finding of this research is the role of General Just World Belief (JWB). While JWB often serves as a motivational resource for individuals, in the context of CSA, it appears to act as a cognitive distortion. Parents with high JWB are more likely to endorse CSA myths as a way to maintain the perception of a "predictable and controllable" world. By attributing blame to victims or minimizing the prevalence of abuse, these parents protect their own sense of security but inadvertently leave their children vulnerable by failing to recognize actual threats. This confirms that JWB moderates the relationship between digital awareness and protective communication, suggesting that high levels of JWB can "blind" parents to the necessity of proactive intervention.
Practical Implications for Applied Psychology
As an applied psychology study, these results offer a framework for evidence-based interventions:
Shifting Parental Education: Prevention programs should move beyond merely providing information about "stranger danger." Instead, they must actively target and dismantle CSA myths.
Digital Literacy as Protection: Since digital environments have made abuse more "invisible" and widespread, enhancing digital parenting awareness is no longer optional—it is a primary protective strategy.
Holistic Communication: Training should emphasize that sexual communication involves more than just "the talk"; it includes non-verbal cues, body language, and creating a safe emotional climate for disclosure.
Global Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
By identifying the mechanisms that keep CSA hidden, this study directly contributes to the United Nations 2030 Agenda:
SDG 16.2 (Ending Abuse): The findings provide a roadmap for reducing the "secrecy" and "denial" that allow abuse to persist, thereby supporting the global mandate to end all forms of violence against children.
SDG 3 & 4 (Well-being and Education): Empowering parents with accurate psychological knowledge and digital skills ensures the long-term mental health of the youth population and elevates the quality of informal education within the home.
In conclusion, the intersection of CSA myths, digital parenting, and Just World Belief creates a complex landscape for child protection. To break the cycle of secrecy, psychological interventions must address the deep-seated beliefs that prevent parents from acting as their children's first line of defense in both the physical and digital worlds.