Gamification in Child sexual abuse prevention: Design, evaluation and lessons learned from the Cesagram platform

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) remains a widespread concern, with both offline and online grooming threatening children's safety. While game-based interventions exist, the potential of gamification in CSA prevention is still underexplored. This paper presents the Cesagram platform—a gamified educational tool designed for students aged 11 and up, involving parents and educators to foster awareness, prevention, and open dialogue. Combining narrative-based learning with collaborative game mechanics, the platform was evaluated through 24 workshops held in Lithuania, Greece, and Italy with 306 students and 138 adults. Participants engaged in both theoretical sessions and platform use, with results showing improved recognition of grooming tactics, reduced belief in CSA-related myths (especially among girls), and support for parent–child communication. The study highlights the value of integrating gamification with CSA prevention education and reflects on key lessons learned in designing engaging and effective interventions in this area and for sensitive topics more broadly.