What solutions can we find in the research literature for preventing sexual violence, and what psychological theories have guided these efforts? We gather all primary prevention efforts to reduce sexual violence from 1985 to 2018 and provide a bird's-eye view of the literature. We first review predominant theoretical approaches to sexual-violence perpetration prevention by highlighting three interventions that exemplify the zeitgeist of primary prevention efforts at various points during this time period. We find a throughline in primary prevention interventions: They aim to change attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge (i.e., ideas) to reduce sexual-violence perpetration and victimization. Our meta-analysis of these studies tests the efficacy of this approach directly and finds that although many interventions are successful at changing ideas, behavior change does not follow. There is little to no relationship between changing attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge and reducing victimization or perpetration. We also observe trends over time, including a shift from targeting a reduction in perpetration to targeting an increase in bystander intervention. We conclude by highlighting promising new strategies for measuring victimization and perpetration and calling for interventions that are informed by theories of behavior change and that center sexually violent behavior as the key outcome of interest.
Most research on sexual victimization centers on cisgender, heterosexual experiences and pushes LGBTQA+ experiences to the margins. The current study focuses on queer experiences of sexual victimization and subsequent help-seeking behaviors and mental health outcomes. Fifteen in-depth interviews with queer identifying individuals who experienced sexual violence were conducted and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.
Objective: Evaluate the relationship between women's empowerment and the use of modern contraceptive methods.
Study Design: A secondary analysis was conducted using the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey of Peru, selecting women who were married, ever married, or cohabiting with a partner. The survey-based Women's Empowerment Index was employed to assess empowerment, and the dependent variable was the use of modern contraceptives at the time of the interview.
Limited meta-analytical research has examined the epidemiology of child sexual abuse (CSA) victimization among Chinese children and adolescents over the past two decades. It is crucial to evaluate how the incidence of CSA has changed over time in response to the significant policy and sociocultural changes since 2013. This study employed a cross-temporal meta-analysis to explore the trend of CSA victimization among Chinese children and adolescents from 2000 to 2022.
This review aims to contribute to the understanding of violence against women and girls in conflict-affected and fragile settings through a systematic review and meta-analysis to document the available evidence on the prevalence of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence during periods of armed conflict and in post-conflict periods. A total of 45 studies were included. Inclusion criteria were: population-based, observational studies that collected quantitative data with women (aged 15 years or older), included prevalence data on intimate partner violence or sexual violence, was collected in a conflict-affected context (active conflict or within 10 years after conflict) and was self-reported by women themselves.
In the emergency department, physicians evaluate patients who have experienced nonfatal strangulation resulting from sexual assault or intimate partner violence. Given the prevalence and potential consequences of nonfatal strangulation injuries, physicians need confidence in their decision-making for these patients. Previous educational interventions effectively improved physician knowledge of sexual assault and intimate partner violence patients; however, no studies have been conducted with the goal of improving physician knowledge about nonfatal strangulation injuries in this population.
