Interventions to prevent sexual abuse of children and adolescents in school environments: scientific evidence

Children and adolescents account for the majority of victims of sexual violence in Brazil, meaning that it is necessary to step up investment in prevention measures to promote healthy development. In 2022, Brazil was ranked 25th among 60 countries for prevention of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This article presents evidence on the effects of interventions to prevent child and adolescent sexual abuse in school environments. We conducted a rapid review based on searches of six scientific literature databases, resulting in the identification of 14 systematic reviews. The results show that a wide range of school-based interventions were implemented. The interventions were effective for the following outcomes: knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors, perpetration and victimization. Most of the primary studies cited in the systematic reviews were conducted in high-income countries. No Brazilian studies were found.