In order to work, your intervention must be appropriate to the context of your target group.

You should consider any varying cultural, socioeconomic, political and developmental perspectives surrounding the issues of child sexual abuse (CSA) and child sexual exploitation (CSE); and how your intervention will work to drive prevention efforts forward whilst avoiding any animosity or additional risk.

Specific areas to think about include:

• Which forms of abuse are most prevalent within the target community; and which forms do you wish to target for prevention?
• Do other forms of abuse (e.g. physical, emotional, neglect) co-exist alongside sexual abuse? What are the specific factors that drive this abuse in your selected population or area?
• Who are the main perpetrators of these forms of abuse? Is it typically family members or authority figures; or one partner in an intimate relationship? Could the exploitation of children be driven by corruption in governmental bodies, or by organised gangs?
• Who is your target audience? What steps can you take to approach your audience sensitively? If you are targeting children for key messaging about safety, healthy relationships and boundaries, could some of the children already have experienced sexual abuse? If your intervention is targeted at perpetrators, could it cause backlash (which may drive other perpetrators or potential perpetrators ‘underground’ or make them reluctant to engage with services), or even bring further harm through labelling and stigmatisation? 
• Where does abuse occur? At school or in the workplace; or does abuse appear institutionalised within a sporting, justice or care system?
• Are certain children more at risk, such as those within migrant or refugee communities; or those likely to be trafficked?
• What is the rule of law in your chosen area? Is this consistent with the content of your intervention? For example, the age of consent may vary between different nations.
• Are there underlying social norms that complicate abuse prevention? For example, is child marriage commonplace; or is there a respected power dynamic to consider between victims and perpetrators?
• What political tensions might drive acts of violence against children? Are there any wars or crises that amplify abuse? Is there a demonstrable political will to prevent abuse?
• Will your target population be accessible and receptive to your intervention? For example, does it exclude hard to reach individuals? Who will deliver the intervention? For example, a local outreach worker might engage your audience more than a visiting academic.
• Is it safe and age-appropriate to deliver your intervention? Consider the risk to practitioners, target groups and victims. For example, an empowerment campaign for survivors of abuse may not be appropriate in cultures that criminalise those viewed as victims elsewhere.
• Are the aims of your intervention in line with existing prevention strategies (e.g. via regional or national action plans)?
• Is the outcome of your intervention sustainable? Could it create a long-lasting impact that is economically viable? What local, national and international funding streams could you take advantage of?
• What other barriers might impact the delivery of your programme? Examples might include surrounding social stigma, illiteracy and/or technology illiteracy, poor understanding, and poor information sharing between different protective organisations.

Within the field of preventing child abuse, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not appropriate. By considering the various contextual factors above, you can modify the content and structure of your intervention to ensure the impact it achieves is as strong as possible.

Notably, recognising and respecting cultural differences between the developers/practitioners of an intervention and their target groups is paramount. What is defined as ‘sexual abuse’ within a developed country will vary from that in more developing countries. For example, some forms of violence against children, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), or child marriage, may be considered as the ‘norm’ or as being ‘in the child’s best interests’ in some communities.

Targeting these harmful practices will not only require significant effort to transform individual beliefs, often intertwined with firmly-held cultural, traditional and religious values; but will likely require broader societal, political and legal change. This is likely beyond the scope of one intervention alone.

Whilst implementing your programme, you must be aware that what works in high-income countries may not work in lower income countries. Prevent any negative repercussions or backlash effects by carefully considering your particular target groups.