Safebodyland Study Summary and Adaptation for Safeland
Dr. Deborah Fry
University of Edinburgh
Moray House School of Education
Summary of the Study
Objective:
Safebodyland was originally developed to enhance children's life skills and prevent child sexual abuse (CSA) through a school-based intervention. This evaluation, guided by the expertise of Dr. Deborah Fry, Professor of International Child Protection Research at the University of Edinburgh, assessed its feasibility, usability, and potential effectiveness. Her leadership in measuring the impact of violence prevention programs has significantly shaped Safebodyland’s design and outcomes. The program's development and piloting were made possible through substantial grant from the UBS Optimus Foundation
Key Components of the Program:
• Virtual Game: Children explore metaphorical islands guided by JJ the Meerkat to learn essential life skills.
• Real-Life Game: Incorporates interactive activities using tangible materials, reinforcing lessons from the virtual game.
• Teacher Toolkit: Includes ready-to-use lesson plans, videos, and a program generator to minimize preparation time.
Methodology:
• Conducted in five Swiss schools, involving 51 children (ages 7–11) and their teachers.
• Utilized observations, focus groups, interviews, surveys, and game analytics.
Findings:
1. Engagement:
o Younger children (ages 7–9) were particularly motivated by the interactive and metaphoric language of the game.
o JJ the Meerkat served as an engaging figure, fostering trust and enthusiasm.
2. Usability:
o Teachers appreciated the user-friendly materials, which seamlessly integrated into various subjects like gym and ethics.
o The metaphoric language simplified complex topics and encouraged open discussions.
3. Impact:
o Enhanced children’s social-emotional skills, particularly selfawareness and the ability to set personal boundaries.
o Teachers and students found the content age-appropriate and adaptable to their needs.
4. Recommendations for Improvement:
o Expand gameplay with more interactive elements and personalized features.
o Refine metaphoric content to address broader mental health and well-being themes.
Adaptation for Mental Health and Well-Being
Key Themes for Safeland:
• Emotional Well-Being: Build skills for managing emotions and developing coping mechanisms through activities like the “Heart Chamber.”
• Personal Boundaries:
Teach children to recognize and maintain safe personal spaces.
• Healthy Relationships: Encourage positive communication and problem-solving in peer and adult relationships.
Revised Program Elements:
• Virtual Game: Retain the metaphorical islands but emphasize stress management, selfcare, and gratitude exercises.
• Real-Life Activities: Integrate group-based tasks focused on mindfulness, teamwork, and resilience.
• JJ the Meerkat: Reimagine JJ’s role as a guide for exploring well-being topics like confidence and kindness.
Recommended Adjustments:
• Redesign lessons to include broader life skills training while keeping metaphoric language for accessibility.
• Add modules on emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and building support networks.
• Enhance the teacher a toolkit with additional videos and guidance for creating a mental health-friendly classroom.