This report discusses a study that examined the effectiveness of the "Keeping Ourselves Safe" (KOS) programme - a child protection programme aimed to develop children's safety knowledge and safety skills. It also serves to provide information for the revision of the junior, middle and intermediate modules of KOS, and assist New Zealand Police and the Ministry of Education to devise strategies to provide better protection for the most vulnerable children. Interviews were conducted with 252 children (aged 10-12 years, 33% boys and 67% girls), from 10 New Zealand intermediate schools. Additionally, 142 parent or primary caregivers were also interviewed. The results include an analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. Some of the main findings reported were: virtually all of the parents and students supported the teaching of KOS in schools; it increased children's confidence and openness; the role of Police Education Officers increased parents' and teachers' confidence; all children knew that sexual abuse was reportable, but peer loyalty would result in some children keeping abuse secret if asked to do so by victims who were friends; children with learning difficulties can be effectively taught KOS principles; there were inconsistencies in the teaching of KOS at primary schools; parent involvement in teaching KOS is crucial; and difficulty in communicating sensitive subjects between parents and children was evident if the intermediate level of KOS had not been introduced. Recommendations are suggested for Police Education Officers and schools, as well as curriculum designers.

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