What is primary prevention
Though changing social norms has been a part of the anti-sexual violence movement since its beginning in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the term “primary prevention” was not systematically integrated into the work until the nation’s largest public health agency, the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), began to address sexual violence in 2001. Thus, though the idea of addressing root causes is a fundamental component of our movement, the idea of addressing sexual violence as a public health issue through primary prevention is still a relatively new concept.
Sexual violence prevention is a systematic process that promotes healthy environments and behaviors, and reduces the likelihood or frequency of [sexual violence] occurrence. The CDC states that there are three categories of prevention:
Primary prevention efforts seek to bring about change in individuals, relationships, communities, and society through strategies that:
The phrase “public health model” is also often used to refer to this approach to prevention. According to the CDC, public health focuses on the health of a population (an entire group of people) rather than individuals. Therefore, a public health prevention strategy has benefits for the entire population instead of just potential victims, because the problem is widespread enough to affect the entire population, either directly or indirectly. The public health approach also depends upon community action, which shifts the burden of prevention from victims and advocate to everyone.4 As with the public health response to the flu, everyone is asked to wash their hands or stay home when sick- not just those at risk for illness.
Sexual violence prevention is a systematic process that promotes healthy environments and behaviors, and reduces the likelihood or frequency of [sexual violence] occurrence. The CDC states that there are three categories of prevention:
- Primary Prevention: Activities that take place before sexual violence has occurred to prevent initial perpetration or victimization;
- Secondary Prevention: Immediate responses after sexual violence has occurred to deal with the short-term consequences; and
- Tertiary Prevention: Long-term responses after sexual violence has occurred to deal with the lasting consequences of violence for the victim/ survivor, as well as sex offender treatment interventions.
Primary prevention efforts seek to bring about change in individuals, relationships, communities, and society through strategies that:
- Promote the factors associated healthy relationships and healthy sexuality (protective factors); and
- Counteract the factors associated with the initial perpetration of sexual violence (risk factors).
The phrase “public health model” is also often used to refer to this approach to prevention. According to the CDC, public health focuses on the health of a population (an entire group of people) rather than individuals. Therefore, a public health prevention strategy has benefits for the entire population instead of just potential victims, because the problem is widespread enough to affect the entire population, either directly or indirectly. The public health approach also depends upon community action, which shifts the burden of prevention from victims and advocate to everyone.4 As with the public health response to the flu, everyone is asked to wash their hands or stay home when sick- not just those at risk for illness.
What does primary prevention look like?
Primary prevention programming addresses the underlying root causes which support sexual violence. The CDC refers to these as risk factors and protective factors. Risk factors are attributes, attitudes, situations, conditions, or environmental contexts that increase the likelihood of the occurrence of sexual violence. Protective factors are attributes, attitudes, situations, conditions, or environmental contexts that work to decrease the likelihood of the occurrence of sexual violence.
The goal of prevention programs is to provide the tools and resources to help reduce or diminish risk factors and to strengthen protective factors.
According to the CDC, comprehensive sexual violence prevention programming addresses risk and protective factors not just among individuals, but also within relationships, communities, and society as a whole. This approach is called the “Social Ecological Model” (SEM), and effective programming addresses all levels, in order to change the norms, beliefs, and social and economic systems that create the conditions for the occurrence of sexual violence. The model identifies four levels of human experience into which prevention strategies can be incorporated.
The goal of prevention programs is to provide the tools and resources to help reduce or diminish risk factors and to strengthen protective factors.
According to the CDC, comprehensive sexual violence prevention programming addresses risk and protective factors not just among individuals, but also within relationships, communities, and society as a whole. This approach is called the “Social Ecological Model” (SEM), and effective programming addresses all levels, in order to change the norms, beliefs, and social and economic systems that create the conditions for the occurrence of sexual violence. The model identifies four levels of human experience into which prevention strategies can be incorporated.
Nine Principles of effective prevention programming
There is no one formula for creating a program which is guaranteed to reduce or end sexual violence. In fact, there are very few evidence-based programs specifically targeted toward sexual violence prevention – the field is in an ‘evidence-building’ period, and many practitioners are using the term ‘evidence-informed’ to refer to programs based on sound theories.
The evidence is clear, however, that effective or promising practices share some common elements, referred to as the Nine Principles of Effective Prevention Programming. They include:
Understanding primary prevention and integrating it into a comprehensive program can be challenging. Yet the public health approach offers an opportunity to make real and meaningful change in how we understand sexual violence.
The evidence is clear, however, that effective or promising practices share some common elements, referred to as the Nine Principles of Effective Prevention Programming. They include:
- Comprehensive: Strategies should include multiple components and affect multiple settings to address a wide range of risk and protective factors of the target problem.
- Varied Teaching Methods: Strategies should include multiple teaching methods, including some type of active, skills ‐based component.
- Sufficient Dosage: Participants need to be exposed to enough of the activity for it to have an effect.
- Theory Driven: Preventive strategies should have a scientific justification or logical rationale.
- Positive Relationships: Programs should foster strong, stable, positive relationships between children and adults.
- Appropriately Timed: Program activities should happen at a time (developmentally) that can have maximal impact in a participant’s life.
- Socio‐Culturally Relevant: Programs should be tailored to fit within cultural beliefs and practices of specific groups as well as local community norms.
- Outcome Evaluation: A systematic outcome evaluation is necessary to determine whether a program or strategy worked.
- Well‐Trained Staff: Programs need to be implemented by staff members who are sensitive, competent, and have received sufficient training, support, and supervision.
Understanding primary prevention and integrating it into a comprehensive program can be challenging. Yet the public health approach offers an opportunity to make real and meaningful change in how we understand sexual violence.
building a foundation in primary prevention
Primary Prevention Primer
From the National Sexual violence Resource Center, "this interactive learning tool introduces primary prevention through a set of activities to enhance knowledge about primary prevention. Information covered includes the Moving Upstream story, the Social Ecological Model, and an exploration of the differences between Risk Reduction and Primary Prevention." You will need 15 minutes to complete the course.
From the National Sexual violence Resource Center, "this interactive learning tool introduces primary prevention through a set of activities to enhance knowledge about primary prevention. Information covered includes the Moving Upstream story, the Social Ecological Model, and an exploration of the differences between Risk Reduction and Primary Prevention." You will need 15 minutes to complete the course.
Principles of Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created Principles of Prevention for everyone interested in learning about violence prevention, the burden violence places on our society, and effective prevention efforts. And, you can earn CDC approved continuing education credits, if you like. You will need 75-90 minutes to complete the full course. POP features videos, animation, and interactive exercises developed to create a meaningful educational experience.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created Principles of Prevention for everyone interested in learning about violence prevention, the burden violence places on our society, and effective prevention efforts. And, you can earn CDC approved continuing education credits, if you like. You will need 75-90 minutes to complete the full course. POP features videos, animation, and interactive exercises developed to create a meaningful educational experience.
Primary Prevention: The Next Step in Sexual Violence Prevention Education
This booklet explores the concepts of primary prevention and ways to use primary prevention in sexual violence prevention education efforts.
This booklet explores the concepts of primary prevention and ways to use primary prevention in sexual violence prevention education efforts.
Menu of Risk and Protective Factors
We've compiled for you a list of risk and protective factors from the individual to the societal level. This document also includes a brief introduction to the definition and use of risk and protective factors.
We've compiled for you a list of risk and protective factors from the individual to the societal level. This document also includes a brief introduction to the definition and use of risk and protective factors.
What is the Rape Prevention education program (RPE)?
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention’s National Rape Prevention and Education program (RPE) enables states and territories to implement strategies to prevent sexual violence. As per the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), states use RPE funds to support educational seminars, helplines, training programs for professionals, development of informational materials, and special programs for underserved communities. However, CDC has implemented the program to focus more narrowly on primary prevention. In addition, states address the complimentary strategies of coalition building, community mobilization, and policy and norms change.
States are required to develop comprehensive primary prevention program plans that will be used to guide their efforts during the project period. (You can read a copy of Maine’s plan here). The RPE program is administered by the Division of Violence Prevention (DVP, part of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
Priorities: Primary prevention is the cornerstone of the RPE program. Program activities are guided by a set of prevention principles that include:
The RPE program is the only federal source of funds that specifically focus on rape prevention activities, by building and enhancing grantees’ capacity to effectively prevent sexual violence from initially occurring by preventing first time perpetration and victimization through:
In Maine, the sexual assault support centers receive RPE to support primary prevention activities. The coalition also has a small allocation to support primary prevention technical assistance. In recent years, when there have been increases in the funding source; MECASA has put out the balance in mini-grants to help centers engage in programming they would not otherwise be able to accomplish.
States are required to develop comprehensive primary prevention program plans that will be used to guide their efforts during the project period. (You can read a copy of Maine’s plan here). The RPE program is administered by the Division of Violence Prevention (DVP, part of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
Priorities: Primary prevention is the cornerstone of the RPE program. Program activities are guided by a set of prevention principles that include:
- Preventing first-time perpetration and victimization;
- Reducing modifiable risk factors while enhancing protective factors associated with sexual violence perpetration and victimization;
- Using the best available evidence when planning, implementing, and evaluating prevention programs;
- Incorporating behavior and social change theories into prevention programs;
- Using population-based surveillance to inform program decisions and monitor trends; and
- Evaluating prevention efforts and using the results to improve future program plan.
The RPE program is the only federal source of funds that specifically focus on rape prevention activities, by building and enhancing grantees’ capacity to effectively prevent sexual violence from initially occurring by preventing first time perpetration and victimization through:
- Using a public health approach;
- Supporting comprehensive primary prevention program planning at multiple social ecological levels;
- Building individual, organizational, and community capacity for prevention;
- Applying the principles of effective prevention strategies; and
- Evaluating sexual violence primary prevention strategies and programs
In Maine, the sexual assault support centers receive RPE to support primary prevention activities. The coalition also has a small allocation to support primary prevention technical assistance. In recent years, when there have been increases in the funding source; MECASA has put out the balance in mini-grants to help centers engage in programming they would not otherwise be able to accomplish.
Additional Primary Prevention Resources
Guidelines for the Primary Prevention of Sexual Violence & Intimate Partner Violence, Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance
A synthesis of prevention research, practical implementation experience, and the public health perspective, and offers an “organizing philosophy” to shape primary prevention strategies. This includes detailed examples and guidelines for implementing sexual violence primary prevention strategies with examples that address risk and protective factors, as well as all components of the social ecological spectrum.
A synthesis of prevention research, practical implementation experience, and the public health perspective, and offers an “organizing philosophy” to shape primary prevention strategies. This includes detailed examples and guidelines for implementing sexual violence primary prevention strategies with examples that address risk and protective factors, as well as all components of the social ecological spectrum.
Educator’s Community Commitment
To Each Other: Respect one another; focus on commonalities; use respectful and inclusive language at all times; be aware of body language; commit to practicing giving/receiving feedback; affirm others, even when disagreeing; respect individual processes and positions, question your assumptions and ask clarifying questions.
To the Group: Respect group positions; diversity of thought is good- there is room for all positions at the table; remember our common goals and challenges; keep everyone in the loop; foster a team approach;
To the “Process”: Address process issues immediately (or build a ‘parking lot’); set clear goals, mission, and deadlines; support and defend the process; use time efficiently.
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Looking for the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault? Head to mecasa.org. |