Mothers' Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Child Sexual Harassment

Abdelgawad, Sahar Mahmoud El-khedr; Khatter, Hanaa Ibrahim Mansour; Farag, Nagafa Hafez; Elhalafawy, Seham Eid Hashem

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2025.435956

Mothers' Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Child Sexual Harassment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

² Doctorate student of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt. Nurse practitioner at Mansoura Health Technical Institute, Dakahlia Governorate, Mansoura, Egypt

³ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt

⁴ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

10.21608/tsnj.2025.435956

Abstract

Background: Sexual harassment is a matter of concern in all societies. Mother’s
knowledge regarding child sexual harassment, could play an important role in child
protection and prevention of sexual harassment. Aim: The current study aimed to
assess mothers' knowledge and attitude regarding child sexual harassment. Research
design: A descriptive design was used. Setting: Three nursery schools at Tanta City
were included in the current study. Subjects: Seventy mothers (70) who attended the
previously mentioned settings were involved. Tools: Two tools were utilized,
Mothers’ Knowledge Regarding Sexual Harassment Questionnaire and Mothers’
Attitudes Regarding Sexual Harassment. Results: A few percentage of the studied
mothers 10% had high level of knowledge regarding sexual harassment. Regarding
prevention sexual harassment more than half of the mothers (52.9%) had low level of
knowledge. More than one third of the mothers had positive attitude toward sexual
harassment. Conclusion: According to the findings of the current study, it was
revealed that nearly two thirds of mothers had low level of knowledge about sexual
harassment and had negative attitude regarding sexual harassment.
Recommendation: Establish an awareness program for mothers regarding child
sexual harassment. An orientation program about sexual harassment must be
available at nursery and primary schools for school personnel