Prevention of sexual violence

This section presents strategies for preventing sexual violence from a public health perspective. It provides an overview of key prevention strategies supported by recognized public health organizations or by evidence from evaluation studies. This section does not list specific prevention programs.

How can sexual violence be prevented at the population level?

Preventing sexual violence at the population level requires primary and universal prevention strategies. This type of prevention involves implementing measures across the entire population to address the root causes of violence and prevent it from occurring, regardless of the level of risk.

The strategies to be implemented must address the determinants of health in living environments and in the sociocultural, economic, physical, political, and digital spheres1. They must also reduce the factors that increase the risk of committing or experiencing sexual violence while strengthening protective factors1,2.

To address these determinants and factors, implementing a single strategy is insufficient; the strategies must be multiple, varied, and complementary. They must consider the diversity of realities and experiences of different population groups.

Sexual violence is a form of violence that is more prevalent in certain social groups and communities, due to social inequalities, gender stereotypes, discrimination based on sex, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and the more difficult living conditions experienced by certain groups. These groups include women, children, youth, sexual and gender-diverse people, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities. Although these groups may be vulnerable to this type of violence, the responsibility always lies with the person who commits the acts of sexual violence.

Public health can play an important role in preventing sexual violence at the population level. The recommended approach targets several actors, not just victims, and involves collaboration between a variety of sectors. These include the health and social services, education, public safety, justice, and media sectors, as well as provincial and federal governments, municipalities, civil society organizations, members of the community, and, more generally, the population as a whole2,3.

Population-level strategies for preventing sexual violence require4–7 :

  1. Changing social norms that support violence and promoting gender equality
  2. Improving the living conditions and socioeconomic situation of women and families
  3. Creating safe environments and living conditions
  4. 4. Supporting parenting skills and the psychosocial development of families
  5. 5. Promoting the development of personal and social skills in children and youth

References

  1. Organisation mondiale de la Santé et London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2012). Prévenir la violence exercée par des partenaires intimes et la violence sexuelle contre les femmes : Intervenir et produire des données, Genève, Organisation mondiale de la Santé.
  2. Basile, K. C., S. DeGue, K. Jones, K. Freire, J. Dills, S. G. Smith et J. L. Raifort (2016). Sexual Violence Prevention Resource for Action: A Compilation of the Best Available Evidence, Atlanta, GA, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  3. UN Women (2015). A framework to underpin action to prevent violence against women, UN Women.
  4. Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, et Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2018). La prévention de la violence au Québec: une responsabilité individuelle et collective, « [Huitième rapport du directeur national de santé publique] ».
  5. Laforest, J., P. Maurice et L. M. Bouchard (2018). Rapport québécois sur la violence et la santé, Montréal, Institut national de santé publique du Québec.
  6. Miele, C., A. Maquigneau, C. C. Joyal, I. Bertsch, O. Gangi, H. Gonthier, C. Rawlinson, S. Vigourt-Oudart, E. Symphorien, A. Heasman, E. Letourneau, A.-H. Moncany et M. Lacambre (2023). « International guidelines for the prevention of sexual violence: A systematic review and perspective of WHO, UN Women, UNESCO, and UNICEF’s publications », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 146, p. 1‑25.
  7. Finnie, R. K., D. L. Okasako-Schmucker, L. Buchanan, D. Carty, H. Wethington, S. L. Mercer, K. C. Basile, S. DeGue, P. H. Niolon, J. Bishop, T. Titus, S. Noursi, S. A. Dickerson, D. Whitaker, S. Swider et P. Remington (2022). « Intimate partner and sexual violence prevention among youth: A community guide systematic review », American Journal of Preventive Medicine, vol. 62, n° 1, p. e45‑e55.

Author: 
Maude Lachapelle, Scientific Advisor, INSPQ
Contributor: 
Anne-Sophie Ponsot, Scientific Advisor, INSPQ
External review: 
Larissa Ouedraogo, M.Sc., Planning, Programming and Research Agent, Regional Public Health Department, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal
Geneviève Paquette, Ph. D., Full Professor, Department of Psychoeducation, Université de Sherbrooke
Jacinthe Dion, Ph. D., Professor, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

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