Abby Kelly-Smith, ChairSexual Violence Primary Prevention Council

Indiana State Department of Health

Physical Health◦ Injuries◦ Disability◦ Unwanted/unplanned pregnancy◦ Sexually transmitted diseases◦ Increased risk for onset of chronic disease and

early death (Adverse Childhood Experiences Study)

Mental Health◦ Increased risk for substance abuse (tobacco,

alcohol, drugs)◦ Increased risk of depression, anxiety, post-

traumatic stress disorder, and suicide

Public Health Clinical Health

Population Individual

Health Disease

Prevention & Health Promotion

Diagnosis & Treatment

Primary Prevention: Approaches or activities that take place before sexual violence has occurred to prevent initial perpetration or violence/victimization; (universal and selected interventions)

Prevention is: A systematic process that promotes healthy environments and behaviors and reduces the likelihood or frequency of violence against women.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Prevent

Institute

“Violence can be prevented and its impact reduced, in the same way that public health efforts have prevented and reduced pregnancy-related complications, workplace injuries, infectious diseases, and illnesses resulting from contaminated food/water in many parts of the world. The factors that contribute to sexual violence…can be changed”.

◦ Dahlberg and Krug, 2002

Define the

Problem

Develop & Test

Prevention

Strategies

Assure

Widespread

Adoption

Identify Risk &

Protective Factors

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Societal Community Relationship Individual

“It is unreasonable to expect that people will change their behavior easily when so many forces in the social, cultural, and physical environment conspire against such change.”

- Institute of Medicine

Societal Community Relationship Individual

-Alcohol & Drug Use-History of physical and/or sexual abuse -Hostility towards women-Hyper-masculinity

-Sexually aggressive peers-Strongly patriarchal family-Observing family violence

-Poverty-Lack of economic opportunities-Weak community sanctions-General tolerance of sexual violence in the justice system

-Social and cultural norms supportive of sexual violence, such as male superiority/sexual entitlement

Societal Community Relationship Individual

-Strong sense of respect for others-Connectedness to school-No history of physical or sexual abuse

-Relationships with peers who exhibit respectful behaviors to others-Observing equality, respect, and non-violence in the family

-Educational and extracurricular/social opportunities-Collective efficacy ofthe community-Low tolerance of SV in the community justice system

-Social norms supporting gender equity -Strong policies against sexual violence-Low tolerance for violent crime

Societal Community Relationship Individual

-Interventions targeting social, cognitive skills and behavior-Educational Sessions

-Bystander intervention and healthy relationship skill development in various settings-Parenting classes

-Policy development &implementationfor no tolerance of SVin workplaces, schools, the justice system, etc. -Positive youth development opportunities

-Engagement of multiple partners to change laws and social norms related to violence and gender inequity-Social marketing

http://www.in.gov/isdh/23820.htm