A Conversation with AI about Prevention
I did it.
I went to ChatGPT to find out what AI has to say about sexual abuse prevention. Every time I read an article or hear a discussion about the content generating algorithms that ChatGPT is now able to produce for anyone, I find myself doubtful.
Sure, AI might be able to produce content about marketing… but can it really generate useful information about child sexual abuse prevention?
I didn’t think so. But I wanted to be sure.
I went ahead and made a free account and had a ‘conversation’ with ChatGPT.
At first I was impressed. Take a look at the responses to my questions below. ChatGPT was able to provide me with textbook perfect answers to my questions about child sexual abuse prevention.
These are better answers than most people are able to provide.
So, good for ChatGPT. It was able to find information that exists and compile it for me on demand.
But here’s where ChatGPT failed.
Despite the fact that AI could produce exceptional answers about the importance of child sexual abuse prevention. And I do mean exceptional answers.
Despite the fact that it could compile excellent information.
What it couldn’t do, was to help me take action.
After our quickly generated discussion, I asked ChatGPT…
“Who advocates for child sexual abuse prevention in Nova Scotia?”
It answered me with the name of a program that I could not find any information about in Nova Scotia. None. I couldn’t find any evidence that the program exists in Nova Scotia. No contact information. No website. No phone number.
So I said to ChatGPT,
“What about Priority Kids? Do they advocate for prevention?”
And ChatGPT told me that Priority Kids is a not-for-profit organization that does a bunch of things, but child sexual abuse prevention is not one of them.
I did an internet search and I couldn’t find any information about a not-for profit called Priority Kids. I found a lot of links to our own website and the searches revealed that Priority Kids is on a mission to eradicate childhood sexual abuse. But somehow, ChatGPT wasn’t able to collect these details.
So, yeah, the AI could grab good content off the internet. But when it comes to taking action, ChatGPT didn’t point me in the right direction.
That’s one thing that we do at Priority Kids that ChatGPT can’t replace. We are here to advocate for children and to point adults in the right direction so that we can protect kids from sexual abuse.
Here’s the conversation I had with ChatGPT – I’m particularly impressed with the answer to our last question.
Priority Kids –
‘Why is training for adults important to protect kids from sexual abuse?’
ChatGPT –
Training for adults is crucial to protect kids from sexual abuse for several reasons:
Increased awareness: Training can increase awareness among adults about the various forms of sexual abuse and the signs that a child might be experiencing it. This increased awareness can help adults identify and report any suspected abuse, which can prevent further harm to the child.
Prevention: Training can help adults understand how to create safe environments for children, such as setting appropriate boundaries, and recognizing and avoiding risky situations. This can help prevent sexual abuse from occurring in the first place.
Early intervention: If an adult has been trained to recognize the signs of abuse, they can intervene early and prevent the abuse from escalating or becoming more severe. Early intervention can also help minimize the trauma experienced by the child.
Support for victims: Trained adults can provide support to children who have experienced sexual abuse, including reporting the abuse to authorities, providing emotional support, and connecting the child and their family to appropriate resources for healing and recovery.
In summary, training for adults can help prevent sexual abuse, identify and report suspected abuse, intervene early, and provide support to victims and their families. It is an essential part of protecting children from sexual abuse.
Priority Kids –
‘Why are child sexual abuse rates so high in Canada?’
ChatGPT –
It is difficult to say definitively why child sexual abuse rates may appear high in Canada, as this is a complex and multifaceted issue. However, there are a few factors that may contribute to this problem:
Underreporting: Many cases of child sexual abuse go unreported, making it difficult to accurately assess the prevalence of this issue. Factors such as fear, shame, and a lack of trust in authorities can all contribute to underreporting
Accessibility to children: With the prevalence of the internet and social media, it has become easier for perpetrators to access children online, and technology has also made it easier to distribute child pornography.
Lack of awareness and education: Many people may not fully understand what child sexual abuse entails, how to recognize signs of abuse, or how to report it. This can contribute to a lack of action being taken to prevent or address abuse.
Historical factors: Canada has a history of residential schools and other institutions that have been linked to abuse of Indigenous children, which may have contributed to a culture of silence and normalization of abuse.
It is important to note that while child sexual abuse rates may appear high in Canada, this is a global issue, and many countries struggle with this problem. It is crucial to continue to raise awareness, educate the public, and implement effective prevention and intervention strategies to address this issue and protect children from harm.
Priority Kids -
‘What can Canadians do to prevent child sexual abuse?’
ChatGPT –
There are several actions Canadians can take to prevent child sexual abuse:
Educate yourself: Learn about the signs and effects of child sexual abuse, as well as how to recognize and report suspected abuse. There are many resources available online and through local organizations that can provide information and support.
Talk to your children: Teach your children about body boundaries and appropriate behavior, and encourage them to speak up if they ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Keep the lines of communication open and create a safe environment where they feel comfortable talking to you about any concerns they may have.
Report suspected abuse: If you suspect that a child may be experiencing abuse, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities. In Canada, this can be done by contacting your local child protection agency, police, or a crisis center.
Advocate for change: Support organizations and initiatives that work to prevent child sexual abuse and protect children from harm. Advocate for policies and laws that prioritize child protection and hold perpetrators accountable.
Volunteer and donate: Volunteer your time or donate to organizations that work with children who have experienced abuse, such as crisis centers or counseling services. This can help support victims and contribute to prevention efforts.
By taking these actions, Canadians can play a critical role in preventing child sexual abuse and protecting children from harm. It is important to remember that preventing child sexual abuse is a shared responsibility, and every individual can make a difference.
Priority Kids –
‘Why do adults resist child sexual abuse prevention training?’
ChatGPT –
There are several reasons why some adults may resist child sexual abuse prevention training:
Discomfort: Child sexual abuse is a difficult and uncomfortable topic to discuss, and some adults may feel uneasy or ashamed about discussing it. They may also fear that the training will be emotionally distressing or trigger traumatic memories.
Lack of awareness: Some adults may not fully understand the importance of child sexual abuse prevention training or may not realize that they are at risk of perpetrating abuse. They may not believe that they need the training or that it is relevant to their lives.
Fear of legal repercussions: Some adults may worry that by participating in prevention training, they are admitting to past or current abusive behavior, which could result in legal consequences.
Perception of being falsely accused: Some adults may fear that participating in child sexual abuse prevention training will result in them being falsely accused of abuse or that they will be targeted unfairly.
Lack of time or resources: Some adults may not have the time or resources to participate in prevention training, particularly if it is not offered at a convenient time or location.
It is important to address these concerns and provide reassurance and support to adults who may be resistant to child sexual abuse prevention training. By emphasizing the importance of prevention and creating a safe and supportive learning environment, it may be possible to overcome resistance and encourage participation in prevention efforts.
Priority Kids -
‘My child’s school won't accept sexual abuse prevention training, should I continue to send my child to school?’
ChatGPT –
If your child's school is not willing to accept sexual abuse prevention training, it is important to first understand the reasons behind their decision. You may want to consider reaching out to the school administration to discuss their concerns and try to address any misunderstandings or misconceptions they may have about the training.
If the school remains unwilling to accept the training, you may want to consider advocating for the implementation of sexual abuse prevention policies and procedures within the school. This can include supporting the development of policies that prioritize child safety and holding the school accountable for protecting children from harm.
It is ultimately up to you as a parent to determine whether or not to continue sending your child to the school. If you feel that your child is at risk of experiencing sexual abuse or if you have concerns about the school's commitment to child safety, you may want to consider alternative options such as switching schools or homeschooling. It is important to prioritize your child's safety and well-being and take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that they are protected from harm.
***End Conversation***
ChatGTP compiles and presents information that already exists.
ChatGTP doesn't 'know' how to keep kids safe. People know how to keep kids safe. ChatGTP doesn't 'know' that we should prioritize child safety, people know that we should prioritize child safety.
ChatGTP doesn't know that Priority Kids is a training and advocacy company with a mission to eradicate childhood sexual abuse. But you do.
A conversation with ChatGTP won't result in safer communities. But a conversation with us could. Connect with us and let's find out if there's a way we can work together to keep kids safe.