Promoting Recovery and Prevention Simultaneously Through Peer Providers to Reduce the Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Acceptability, Feasibility, and Fidelity of an Integrated Intervention Model

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) affects approximately 30% of American children assigned female at birth. CSA often has a negative impact on survivors, leading to poorer mental health and an increased risk of subsequent sexual victimization. The current proof-of-concept study sought to examine the acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity of a peer-facilitated, online, one-time group intervention model to simultaneously promote recovery and prevent further victimization. We developed a brief intervention model drawing from components of previously tested protocols (i.e., expressive writing, interpersonal skills). Undergraduate students were trained as facilitators. We conducted online group sessions via Zoom with —three to seven participants per group (n = 40 in k = 10 groups). Participants were women (95.7%) or assigned female at birth nonbinary (4.3%) aged 17–30 who had experienced CSA. They were surveyed pre- and postintervention regarding acceptability. Qualitatively, feedback on the group intervention was very positive. Quantitatively, participants reported feeling more comfortable asking someone to stop sexual advances (M = 4.32/5.0), reported a desire to continue using skills learned (M = 4.56/5.0), and felt comfortable working with the peer providers (M = 4.63/5.0). From the participant-feasibility perspective, 100% of participants reported some level of postintervention skill practice during the one-week follow-up. The average, dichotomous, fidelity rating was 84.9%. Our findings indicate that an online group intervention facilitated by peers to improve health after CSA is acceptable, feasible, and meets minimal fidelity standards. Further development and refinement of this intervention model are warranted.