Resources for Sexual Violence Preventionists

Resource Packet: Intro

Effective prevention strategies are rooted in the understanding that in
order to prevent sexual violence, we must address the root causes and
social norms that allow it to exist in the first place. This means making
the connection between all forms of oppression (including racism,
sexism, homophobia, ableism, adultism, ageism, and others) and how
they create a culture in which inequality thrives and violence is seen
as normal.

Prevention goes beyond education and awareness-raising and engages
communities in creating long-term solutions to social issues.  Social
change does not come about from teaching children how to be safe
or telling women to watch their drinks or not walk alone.  Effective
prevention is addressing the problem at its core - by focusing on 
and eliminating the risk factors for perpetration and victimization.

Research points to several key principles of effective prevention programs
(Nation et al., 2003).  Effective programming can take a number of different forms, but
should reflect as many of the following principles as possible:

1. Comprehensive
Prevention programming targets multiple levels of the social
ecological model, in order to address the root causes of sexual violence
and the attitudes and beliefs that allow it to exist.

2. Use varied teaching methods
Prevention programming is best absorbed or received when the 
message is delivered using multiple forms of media or presentation.
This could include performance, artistic expressions, group work, and
traditional lecture-style.

3. Deliver sufficient dosage
This has also been described by the phrase "saturation versus sprinkling."
Effective prevention programming is delivered to a group over a period of time and
with multiple exposures in order to increase knowledge AND develop
skills for putting knowledge into practice.

4. Theory driven
Prevention programming that is grounded in theory (e.g., social change and 
feminist theories) and supported by research is more effective.

5. Emphasize positive relationships
Prevention programming that allows for positive relationship building and modeling has
been shown to work best.

6. Appropriately timed
Programs should be developmentally appropriate and start early in life.

7. Socioculturally relevant
Programs are created by and for the specific community they are engaging, incorporating
the cultural norms of that community.

8. Include outcome evaluation
Programs are successful when they invest in the outcomes of their prevention efforts.
This includes the development of goals and objectives and the implementation of
measurements to capture data and ensure the program is meeting those goals and objectives.

9. Delivered by well-trained staff
In order to be effective, prevention programs should invest time, energy, and money into
supporting staff development and training.  
These principles provide a foundation for effective prevention efforts and also highlight 
some aspects of the training and skills needed among prevention practitioners.  The goal of 
this resource packet is to provide guidance to prevention practitioners at local, state, 
tribal, territory, and national organizations so they can work more effectively toward 
the goal of eliminating sexual violence in their communites.

There are five elements to the packet:
1. Core Competencies for Sexual Violence prevention Practitioners
2. Qualities and Abilities of Effective and Confident Prevention Practitioners
3. Guidance for Hiring, Training, and Supporting community Prevention practitioners
4. Sample Job Description
5. Strategies for Integrating Prevention into Organizational Operations

Each resource can be used on its own or in combination with the others.  They are meant to 
provide practical examples and strategies for preventionists and organizations committed to 
preventing sexual violence. The NSVRC intends for the packet to grow, for resources to be 
updated, and approaches to be included as the movement collects promising practices and 
shares innovations.

Reference
Naiton, M., Crusto, C., Wandersman, A., Kumpfer, K. L., Seybolt, D., Morrissey-
Kane, E., & Davino, K. (2003).  What works in prevention: Principles of 
effective prevention programming.  American Psychologist, 58, 449-456.
doi:10.1037/0003-006X.58.6-7.449

National Sexual Violence Resource Center 2012.  All rights reserved.
This document was supported by Cooperative Agreement # 5VF1CE001751-03 from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).  its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily 
represent the official views of the CDC.