Assessment of a Sexual Coercion Prevention Program for Adolescents

Abstract

This study's focus is to evaluate a sexual coercion prevention program in adolescents. Using a beforeand- after design with both a treatment group (n = 93) and a control group (n = 76), an intervention of seven sessions was completed. Said sessions included such content as conceptualizing sexual freedom, sexual coercion and voluntary consent, analyzing different sexual coercion tactics and the contexts in which they occur, empathy toward the victim, and developing abilities to avoid risky situations. Other risk factors for coercive behavior and sexual victimization are explored as well, such as alcohol use, sexist attitudes and inadequate communication, among others. The intervention's results include a decrease in stereotypical beliefs about the opposite sex and increased empathy toward victims of sexual coercion. These changes were maintained with the passage of time. Also, in the treatment group, a more acute decline was observed in the proportion of young people engaging in sexually coercive behaviors. This article emphasizes the importance, necessity and efficacy of such interventions, and discusses and analyzes possible improvements to the program for its future implementation.

Longitudinal Risk Profiles for Physical, Psychological, and Sexual Dating Aggression: a Latent Profile Analysis with Spanish Adolescents

“…As mentioned, the development of dating violence prevention programs in Spain remains a challenge. Up to date, there are few dating violence prevention programs evaluated (Carrascosa et al, 2019;Muñoz-Rivas et al, 2019;Sánchez-Jiménez et al, 2018) and only two of them have included sexual DA (Fuertes-Martín et al, 2012;Muñoz-Fernández et al, 2019). In addition, all these programs have been focused on modifying some cognitive risk factors, such as beliefs and attitudes about violence, romantic myths, or knowledge about violence, probably because of the heritage bullying and cyberbullying programs.…”

A Call to Action: Developing and Strengthening New Strategies to Promote Adolescent Sexual Health

“…In addition to addressing healthy relationships as part of sex education and parent-child communication programs, clinical settings can play an important role in screening and interventions for violence and reproductive coercion [34]. Interventions focusing on young men may help reduce sexual and physical violence or coercion that can lead some young women to feel pressured to have sex [35]. In addition, the importance of active consent prior to engaging in sexual activity has gained traction in programs and policies, particularly in university settings.…”