The effect of training about child sexual, physical and emotional abuse

Objective This study aims to evaluate whether the training offered about child abuse and neglect to families in which there are disagreements and problems between parents will be effective in enhancing awareness. Background Even if families are the places where children are the safest, they sometimes constitute the risky groups in terms of neglect and abuse. Parents could perpetrate physical and emotional abuses against their children due to conflicts with their spouses. Method The research was conducted as a pre‐test–post‐test quasi‐experimental study. A total of 142 parents (71 couples) took part in the research. The Socio‐Demographic Information Form, the Abuse Awareness Scale – Parent Form and the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale were used as the data collection tools. Awareness training on child neglect and abuse, created by the researcher, was given to parents. Results Before the training, the mean of pre‐test scores obtained by participant parents from the AAS‐PF was 62.5 ± 7.77 points. The mean of post‐test scores obtained by participant parents from the AAS‐PF was 47.5 ± 4.94 points. There was a statistically significant relationship between participant parents' AAS‐PF and RDAS scores. Implications In line with the findings obtained from the research, disagreements between spouses pose a risk for children in terms of neglect and abuse. The education program on child neglect and abuse given to parents raises awareness and reduces the risk.