Sexual Assault Prevention Targeting Involvement in Risky Behaviors: A Three-Month Follow-Up

• NCJ Number: 215213
• Journal: Journal of Trauma Practice Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 1-22
• Author(s): Joanne L. Davis; Christine M. DeMaio; Adrienne E. Fricker-Elhai
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the link between sexual victimization and risky behaviors in the context of a sexual assault prevention program presented to 310 undergraduate college sorority women.

Abstract

The study found that risky sexual behaviors and substance use were linked to sexual victimization. Participants who indicated any type of preintervention sexual assault also reported greater involvement in risky behaviors. Further, although the sexual assault prevention program increased knowledge about sexual assault issues, risky social and sexual behaviors, substance use, and subsequent sexual victimization were not reduced. Knowledge of sexual assault was significantly negatively correlated with frequency of intoxication and binge drinking. Individuals who did not complete the program reported significantly greater alcohol consumption and involvement in risk-taking behaviors than those who completed the program; however, data did not allow drawing any conclusions about the effectiveness of the program. More research is needed to identify the mechanisms that link victimization, risky behaviors, and revictimization, so as to determine the interventions that will reduce risk of sexual victimization in vulnerable populations. Of the 310 participants, 162 were in the control program that did not participate in the prevention program. The program lasted approximately 1 hour and included instruction and discussion of the following topics: prevalence of sexual assault; the debunking of rape myths; characteristics of sexual assault situations, perpetrators, and victims; possible risk factors; the impact of substance use; general prevention measures; the woman's options when an assault occurs; common responses to assault; and how to help a victim. Participants were administered the Experiences with Violence Survey, the Knowledge of Sexual Assault Survey, the Risk Questionnaire, and a quantity-frequency instrument that obtained self-reports of alcohol consumptions in the previous 30 days. 3 tables and 66 references