title: Breaking the silence of child sexual abuse in the Caribbean: a community-based action research intervention model.
abstract: In Trinidad and Tobago, little data exists on child sexual abuse, although there are many anecdotal reports of high prevalence. The Breaking the Silence Gender and Community Empowerment Model is a multidisciplinary intervention to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse in Trinidad and Tobago. It is an innovative, gender-sensitive intervention that uses a community based action research methodology anchored in a national framework. Preliminary evaluation of the Breaking the Silence model shows increased knowledge of child sexual abuse, increased willingness to discuss child sexual abuse, and an impact that goes beyond the target communities. This model can be replicated in communities to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse and adapted to address other sensitive social issues in the Caribbean.
authors.affiliation: a The University of the West Indies , St. Augustine , Trinidad and Tobago.
authors.forename: Sandra D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Rhoda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reddock
authors.forename: Tisha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nickenig
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002669:Child Welfare; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago
keywords: Caribbean; action research; child sexual abuse; incest; intervention