Designing a Curriculum for a Parent Training Course on the Prevention of Violence Against Children: Some Insights from a European Project

The paper aims to present a curriculum for a parent training course on preventing violence against children (VAC). The training course was developed into a multi-site cross-national project framework involving five European countries (Italy, Turkey, Greece, Lithuania, and Spain). A needs analysis was conducted in each local context by using semi-structured in-depth interviews. Sixty-two parents have been reached, and the interviews were analyzed using a bottom-up exploratory research approach and thematic analysis. The meta-synthesis of the data highlighted the need for standardized cultural- sensitive training programs based on more information about child development and VAC and strategies to address children's behaviors positively. According to the needs analysis, four modules (M) were designed: Information on children's rights and protection (M1), Self-reflection: parental perception and children protection (M2), Positive parenting and relational skills (M3), and Conclusion and assessment (M4). The contribution will offer an example of curriculum design for the prevention of VAC to help to disseminate and promote a new awareness on the topic and the importance of supporting parents as a first step in the prevention of VAC.