Sexual assault is a global threat to adolescent health, but empowerment self-defense (ESD) interventions have shown promise for prevention. This study evaluated the joint implementation of a girls' ESD program and a concurrent boys' program, implemented via a cluster-randomized controlled trial in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya, from…

Objectives: Assess the acceptability of and self-reported behavioral change from participation in a sexual assault prevention intervention on a U.S. university campus. Participants: Thirty-one undergraduate students who identified as women and opted-in to participating in both the intervention and research. Methods: In-depth interviews and written…

Despite the high incidence of sexual assault, doubt about allegations is common. Previous research suggests that victims expressing positive or no emotion are perceived as less credible than those expressing negative emotions. However, little is known about which specific negative emotional expressions contribute to credibility in this context. In…

The present study aimed to determine whether greater levels of mobile connectivity, such as that afforded by campus safety apps, are associated with lower levels of bystander intervention into campus sexual assault incidents. We employed an experimental vignette design with a sample of college students to determine whether greater levels of mobile…

Humane Acts Bystander Intervention Training curriculum (HABIT) aims to reach students less inclined to learn from liberal and more-feminist education offered in current curricula. Using moral foundations theory to encourage bystander intervention in potential sexual assault situations, the authors taught and assessed 137 diverse students within an…

Dating sexual violence (DSV) is a serious social problem among college students worldwide. This study examines the effects of gender role attitudes (GRA) in DSV and the mediating role of rape myth acceptance (RMA) among students of different sexual orientations in China. A total of 2134 Chinese college students (553 men and 1581 women, 1751…

Sexual violence among adolescents is a major concern. This study examined the impact of the peer-led "Sources of Strength" program on gender-based violence and attitudes dismissive of sexual harassment. Twenty high schools in Colorado were randomized to intervention (n = 11) or waitlist control (n = 9); students (N = 6461; 9th-11th…

Objective: This study examines rape myth acceptance among students attending a Historically Black College (HBCU). Participants: One hundred and thirty two students participated in the study. Methods: A survey consisting of demographic questions and the Updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA) was distributed using an anonymous paper…

Research highlights the high rates and deleterious outcomes of teen dating and sexual violence (DSV), underscoring the critical role of prevention. School personnel have an important role in preventing DSV among teens. The purpose of this study was to explore the rates and correlates of school personnel's opportunity and actions to intervene in…

Conventional systematic reviews offer few insights into for whom and how interventions work. 'Realist reviews' examine such questions via examining 'context-mechanism-outcome configurations' (CMOCs) but are insufficiently rigorous in how evidence is identified, assessed and synthesised. We developed 'realist systematic reviews', addressing similar…

Sexual assault continues to plague college campuses despite years of targeted intervention. Recent prevention efforts have focused on the role of bystanders in reducing rates. However, limited work has explored actual intervention behaviors as opposed to intentions to intervene or reasons why individuals might choose not to help. College students…

Objective: This study examined rates and predictors of peer recommendation of resources after disclosure of actual and hypothetical unwanted sexual experiences. Participants: Private university students without a history of college sexual assault were recruited in 2 groups. One was a group of peers who had received an assault disclosure (N = 122)…

In this paper, I discuss rape myths and mythologies, their negative effects on rape and sexual assault complainants, and how they prejudicially construct women qua women. The backdrop for the analysis is the Belfast Rugby Rape Trial, which took place in 2018. Four men, two of whom were well-known rugby players, were acquitted of rape and sexual…

This study examined the effectiveness of Safe Sisters, a sexual assault bystander intervention program that targets members of college sororities. Analysis of covariance results show significant differences between treatment and waitlist control groups on posttest scores for action, bystander efficacy, intent to help friends, and intent to help…

College-age women represent the highest-risk age group for intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. Bystander prevention approaches (primarily developed to address sexual assault risk on college campuses), have quickly become the mainstay of primary prevention education for gender-based violence in these settings and have been applied to all…