Make a Move: Implementation of a Dutch sexual offending prevention program in residential youth care

Abstract

Background: A program to prevent sexual harassment among boys in residential youth care was developed and implemented by trainers of a Dutch sexual health organization. A detailed effect and process evaluation was set up to test for program effectiveness as well as degree of implementation. Methods: Effectiveness of the program was tested in a cluster RCT with pre and posttest measurements of (antecedents of) sexual offensive behavior among 177 boys. Diaries and semi-structured interviews with trainers (N = 7) were used to collect data focusing on (factors influencing) completeness and fidelity of program implementation. Findings: Multilvel analysis with Bonferonni correction showed no significant effects of the program on outcome measures (p’s > .03). Program content, organizational constrains, the boys’ problematic behavior and the trainers’ lack of skills all contributed to a low level of completeness and fidelity in program implementation. Discussion: Data collected on program implementation greatly contributed to the interpretation of the research findings and provided a rich body of information on how to improve future implementation of health programs in youth care.