Preventing sexual violence: Strategies focused on the sociocultural environment

Inequalities between men and women, i.e., gender inequalities, are one of the root causes of violence, including sexual violence, against women and girls around the world1. In regions or countries with higher levels of gender inequality, women and girls are at even greater risk of experiencing sexual violence during their lifetime2–4. Conversely, gender equality has a positive effect on population health and is associated with less intimate partner violence, whether sexual or not5.

Gender inequalities can influence socioeconomic status and living conditions, especially for women and girls. They also shape certain social norms, such as those that trivialize sexual violence or promote traditional gender roles and sexist stereotypes1,6. These norms have the potential to influence people’s attitudes and beliefs about sexual violence, which can then translate into behaviours, including acts of violence1.

Sociocultural environment: Examples of factors and prevention strategies

Examples of factors related to the economic environment

Factors that contribute to violence

  • Gender inequality
  • Discrimination based on sex, gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, etc.
  • Traditional gender role norms
  • Sexual and sexist stereotypes
  • Norms, attitudes, and beliefs that support sexual violence
  • Climate of tolerance for sexual violence in workplaces and educational settings

Factors that contribute to reducing violence

  • Gender equality
  • Nonviolent norms and values

Examples of prevention strategies 

Changing social norms and promoting gender equality

At the societal level, changing social and cultural norms that support violence is one of the seven key strategies recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent violence in all its forms7. Adherence to certain norms increases the risk of violence against girls and women, both at the individual and population levels. Examples include norms that support or trivialize sexual violence, myths about sexual violence, traditional gender roles, sexual and sexist stereotypes, and gender inequalities2,3,8–17. Conversely, other norms promote equality, respect, and peaceful behaviour7,18,19. Adherence to nonviolent norms and values and gender equality can therefore protect against sexual violence8,18–20.

All of these norms can be found and conveyed in different environments and settings, particularly in the media, the family environment, the educational environment, the workplace, or the legal system8. For example, in educational or work environments, a climate of tolerance toward harassment or violence, or a culture that values aggressive rivalry and dominance over others, can increase the risk of sexual violence, including sexual harassment21,22.

Several strategies can be implemented to change social norms in all living environments. Awareness campaigns and appropriate media coverage of sexual violence are examples of strategies supported by various organizations and evaluation studies.

Awareness campaigns

Awareness campaigns often aim to disseminate information on a topic to a wide audience through television, radio, or social media. They sometimes seek to influence social norms, for example by promoting equal relationships and peaceful, healthy behaviours23. Given their broad scope, their effects are difficult to measure24–26.

When it comes to sexual violence, campaigns aim to counter sexual and sexist stereotypes, correct certain misconceptions among the population about this type of violence, and reduce tolerance for sexual violence, which are factors associated with sexual violence9,14,15,23,26,27. They can also encourage people to take action to prevent sexual violence or to support victims26. The information provided may include examples of manifestations or consequences of sexual violence, ways to support victims or intervene as a witness, or resources for help24.

Some awareness campaigns target settings where there is a higher risk of sexual violence, such as university campuses and bars28–31. They often take the form of short messages or scenarios displayed on posters in these settings or shared on social media. In general, these campaigns improve the knowledge of sexual violence among those who see them and, in some cases, reduce their tolerance for certain acts of sexual violence. However, they do not succeed in changing their behaviour28–31.

The media and media coverage of sexual violence

The media are frequently called upon to cover sexual violence in digital or print newspapers, on radio or television, often through coverage of court cases involving sexual assault or other sexual offenses. Through the way in which information about these cases is disseminated, the media can inform the public about the issue of sexual violence and influence their beliefs and attitudes on the subject. They also have the potential to reflect and influence social norms regarding sexual violence32,33.

A strategy supported by many organizations, including the WHO, to address these social norms is to promote appropriate media coverage of sexual violence by journalists and anyone else involved in the media and public sphere. To adequately address this violence, the media can present its scope as well as associated factors and consequences, which can help raise public awareness. Disseminating resources for help is another beneficial and recommended journalistic practice, as it encourages those who feel the need to seek help32,34–36. At the population level, appropriate coverage of sexual violence also has the potential to influence the evolution of public policy and legislation on issues related to gender inequality and sexual violence33.

Journalistic practices that facilitate appropriate media coverage of sexual violence are presented in a number of guides, reports, and web pages intended for the media36.

References

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  2. LeSuer, W. (2022). « The Impact of National-Level Gender Inequality on the Sexual Abuse of Girls », Violence against women, vol. 28, n° 3‑4, p. 691‑710.
  3. Kearns, M. C., A. S. D’Inverno et D. E. Reidy (2020). « The Association Between Gender Inequality and Sexual Violence in the U.S », American Journal of Preventive Medicine, vol. 58, n° 1, p. 12‑20.
  4. Lee, H. (2024). « State-level structural sexism and adolescent sexual violence victimization in the US », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 158, p. 107096.
  5. King, T. L., A. Kavanagh, A. J. Scovelle et A. Milner (2020). « Associations between gender equality and health: A systematic review », Health Promotion International, vol. 35, n° 1, p. 27‑41.
  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. World Health Organization (2014). Global status report on violence prevention 2014, [en ligne], World Health Organization, <https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789241564793&gt; (consulté le 31 janvier 2024).
  8. 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, [en ligne], Genève, Organisation mondiale de la Santé, <https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/75201/9789242564006_fre.pdf…; (consulté le 27 février 2025).
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  13. Ybarra, M. L., K. L. Goodman, E. Saewyc, J. R. Scheer et I. F. Stroem (2022). « Youth Characteristics Associated With Sexual Violence Perpetration Among Transgender Boys and Girls, Cisgender Boys and Girls, and Nonbinary Youth », JAMA network open, vol. 5, n° 6, p. e2215863.
  14. Ray, T. N., et M. R. Parkhill (2023). « Components of hostile masculinity and their associations with male-perpetrated sexual aggression toward women: A systematic review », Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, vol. 24, n° 2, p. 355‑368.
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  18. World Health Organization (2022). Reporting on violence against children: A guide for journalists, [en ligne], World Health Organization, <https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789240052116&gt; (consulté le 21 septembre 2022).
  19. 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, [en ligne], Atlanta, GA, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, <https://www.cdc.gov/violence-prevention/media/pdf/resources-for-action/…; (consulté le 3 mars 2025).
  20. González, L., et N. Rodríguez-Planas (2020). « Gender norms and intimate partner violence », Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, vol. 178, p. 223‑248.
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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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