System of Safety (SOS): A Comprehensive Child Sexual Abuse Program

Project Title:	System of Safety (SOS): A Comprehensive Child Sexual Abuse Program
Grant/Contract Number:	90CA1624
Type of Project:	CAN
Funding Agency:	Children's Bureau
Agency Contact Person:	Tanya Howell (202) 205-8714
Principal Investigator:	Jane C. Bourns
Mailing Address:	Wheeler Clinic 91 Northwest Drive Plainville, CT 06062
Total Project Duration:	10/01/97 to 9/30/00
FY 98 Total Costs:	$100,000
Total Project Budget:	$300,000
Child Maltreatment Focus:	Primary
Type of Abuse:	Sexual; Differentiated
Sample Size:	Not specified
Age of Subjects:	3 to 17 years old and Adults
Child Abuse and Neglect Focus of This Project:	Treatment and Preventive Interventions
Summary

SOS is a comprehensive child sexual abuse prevention system that is supported by a continuum of support services to protect children. The project brings parents, teachers, and caregivers into a prevention partnership. SOS provides training for adults in the Talking About Touching safety curriculum, provides scripted performance with puppetry for elementary and Head Start students, and provides an outreach component to increase participation of fathers in the school/family alliance. Special linkages among several community agencies involved in child welfare and sexual assault services to develop a system of prevention, intervention, and crisis response are also planned.