NCJ Number
227439
Journal
Trauma, Violence, and Abuse Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2009 Pages: 91-114
Date Published
April 2009
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study examined successful ecological prevention models from other prevention fields to identify the components of multilevel prevention for use as an application to sexual violence prevention strategies.
Abstract
The sexual violence field has had some success in identifying prevention strategies that address rape supportive attitudes and beliefs, and that raise awareness of rape among individuals. Enhancing the efficacy of future prevention efforts requires a continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sexual violence prevention programs toward multilevel interventions that account for rape-supportive factors at all levels, including peer and community contexts. Given the etiological evidence of multilevel contributors to sexual violence as well as the limitation of current strategies in decreasing rates of sexual assault perpetration, next steps in sexual violence prevention should involve the expanded implementation of ecologically oriented approaches. Consistent with the components of ecological prevention, broadening the reach and effectiveness of primary sexual violence prevention efforts requires augmenting individual-level strategies and engaging diverse peer networks and communities in the work of ending sexual assault. Both emerging approaches such as social norms media strategies, and new initiatives informed by ecological principles of prevention need rigorous evaluation to highlight the most promising multilevel strategies. Tables and references