Kimberly Bahena and Yaritza Garcia, “Library Storytime for Sexual Violence Prevention: Books, Songs, and Activities to Teach Consent and Promote Prevention”
Mentor: Rose Hennessy Garza, Public Health, Public Health (Joseph J. Zilber School of)
Oral Presentation: 9:45am Union E220
Sexual violence comprises a range of sexual actions and behaviors that occur without the consent of a victim. Vulnerable populations, such as children and individuals with disabilities, are particularly at risk. Advocates and scholars have called for earlier prevention, as addressing risk and protective factors beginning in early childhood can promote healthy behaviors and reduce future risk of sexual violence. However, few sexual violence primary prevention programs exist for young children, and none have been found for children under three years old. This formative assessment aims to create a sexual violence prevention program for children’s librarians to use during Storytime sessions with young children and their caregivers. The program centers around four established risk and protective factors to prevent sexual violence perpetration in adolescence and adulthood including: 1) social and emotional health, 2) gender socialization, 3) healthy sexuality, and 4) aggression and nonviolence. Formal and grey literature will be reviewed for resources within the four categories to identify suitable materials that can be adapted for Storytime. Materials include books, songs, activities, crafts, and caregiver resources. For materials that cannot be obtained, new materials will be developed. The program will be created in English and Spanish to improve inclusivity in violence prevention. Informal interviews will be conducted with children’s librarians to obtain feedback on materials, request additional resources, and to understand the feasibility of incorporating sexual violence prevention into Storytime sessions. Children’s librarians will be recruited from interviews to participate in an advisory committee and to help pilot test the future program. Providing sexual assault prevention education in library Storytime can infuse prevention in a low-cost manner within an environment where young children and caregivers already gather, potentially contributing to less sexual violence and promoting healthier communities.