559 - PREVENTION IN PRACTICE: THE 'VOIES' PROJECT TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

Session: D03S028 - Trauma and Resilience 3
AUTHORS:
Allard-Cobetto Penelope (Université du Québec à Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Hébert Martine (Université du Québec à Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada)
Abstract text:
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a serious public health issue associated with harmful consequences. Children with cognitive challenges, such as intellectual disabilities, are 3.5 times more likely to experience CSA than their neurotypical peers, and the impact on their mental and physical health can be amplified (Daigneault et al., 2023). In response to this critical issue, the 'Voies' project was developed to train professionals to deliver sexuality education and sexual violence prevention workshops to these children. To assess the impact of the project, as well as the perspectives and recommendations of trained practitioners regarding the tools and training, 12 individual interviews were conducted with practitioners (M = 32.7 years; SD = 9.2). Thematic analysis revealed that participants reported feeling more confident and better prepared to respond to disclosures and problematic sexual behaviors, as well as to facilitate prevention workshops in their workplace. The training and tools were commended for their adaptability, clarity, and relevance across diverse professional settings. However, professionals emphasized the need for clearer guidelines when working with non-verbal children and those with severe disabilities. Key recommendations include the development of tailored tools for non-verbal children and the enhancement of parental support resources. Overall, the findings suggest that the 'Voies' project fosters collective awareness, strengthens intervention practices, and holds promise for improving the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.