Preventing sexual violence: Strategies focused on the political environment

Strategies aimed at the political environment consist of implementing and enforcing laws and policies in several settings. These laws and policies may target the prevention of sexual violence more specifically. Others may address factors associated with this violence, reducing those associated with an increased risk of sexual violence and strengthening those that protect against it1.

Political environment: Factors and prevention strategies

Examples of factors related to the political environment

Factors that contribute to violence

  • Gaps in law enforcement
  • Accessibility of alcohol, particularly encouraging excessive consumption

Factors that contribute to reducing violence

  • Equal and respectful relationships
  • Healthy and safe environments in the workplace or educational settings

Examples of prevention strategies

Crime laws

In general, criminal laws establish standards for acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in a society. However, they may have certain limitations, such as being insufficient in some countries or regions or not always being adequately enforced, for example due to a lack of resources or accountability for perpetrators. This can therefore allow perpetrators of violence to act without fear of punishment2,3.

In Canada and Quebec, several criminal and civil laws may apply to sexual violence. For example, the Criminal Code defines and punishes sexual assault and other sexual offenses. Certain laws also help protect children and youth who are victims of violence, including sexual violence, such as the Youth Protection Act in Quebec. Other laws are more broadly aimed at providing support and safety to all victims. Legal proceedings are also provided for individuals who have committed sexual violence, which can help prevent recidivism and deter potential perpetrators.

Public policies and alcohol laws

Public policies and laws aimed at reducing excessive alcohol consumption are another example of a strategy to prevent sexual violence that is supported by several studies and international organizations. Alcohol consumption, including excessive consumption, is a factor associated with the risk of committing sexual violence in certain contexts and for certain individuals, but also of being a victim of it4–12. It is also the psychoactive substance most often present in cases of sexual violence. Although it is not the cause, it can exacerbate other factors that increase the risk of sexual violence, such as hostility toward women and sexist beliefs13,14.

Laws that aim to increase the price and taxes on alcohol or reduce sales hours or the density of alcohol outlets would also reduce the risk of violent crime in the communities where they are enforced. These crimes include violence against children, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault15–17.

Policies and laws applicable to educational institutions and the workplace

Policies can also be implemented in educational institutions to prevent sexual violence and ensure a healthy, safe, and respectful environment18,19. Examples include rules governing social activities or orientation activities, considering that these are contexts with a higher risk of sexual violence20. These rules must also be included in the policy to prevent and combat sexual violence adopted by higher education institutions in Quebec, pursuant to the Act to prevent and fight sexual violence in higher education institutions. These institutions are also required to offer prevention, awareness, and training activities for the student community, make their facilities safer, and provide support services related to sexual violence21.

Sexual violence can also be prevented in the workplace through occupational health and safety policies or laws, or through training for employees and management. These strategies promote healthy, equal, and safe relationships and work environments. They can also address factors associated with an increased risk of sexual violence, such as gender inequality, sexual, sexist, and racist stereotypes, other forms of discrimination, and norms and attitudes that support sexual violence18,22.

In Quebec, workplaces are required to protect the health and ensure the safety and physical and mental well-being of employees. Measures are provided for in several laws relating to labour, health, and safety standards. These measures address, for example, the prevention and handling of psychological harassment and sexual violence in the workplace. They also facilitate access to and use of available recourses for victims of sexual violence23.

References

  1. DeGue, S., M. K. Holt, G. M. Massetti, J. L. Matjasko, A. T. Tharp et L. A. Valle (2012). « Looking ahead toward community-level strategies to prevent sexual violence », Journal of Women’s Health (2002), vol. 21, n° 1, p. 1‑3.
  2. 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).
  3. Prevention Institute et National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2021). A Health Equity Approach to Preventing Sexual Violence, [en ligne], Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, <https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/health_equity_approac…; (consulté le 18 août 2025).
  4. Jaffe, A. E., J. A. Blayney, S. Graupensperger, R. Cooper et M. E. Larimer (2022). « Prepartying and incapacitated rape: Is drinking a risk factor or an outcome? », Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, vol. 46, n° 3, p. 447‑457.
  5. Jaffe, A. E., J. A. Blayney, M. A. Lewis et D. Kaysen (2020). « Prospective risk for incapacitated rape among sexual minority women: Hookups and drinking », Journal of Sex Research, vol. 57, n° 7, p. 922‑932.
  6. Caamano-Isorna, F., A. Adkins, L. Moure-Rodriguez, A. H. Conley et D. Dick (2021). « Alcohol Use and Sexual and Physical Assault Victimization Among University Students: Three Years of Follow-Up », Journal of interpersonal violence, vol. 36, n° 7‑8, p. NP3574‑NP3595.
  7. Schipani-McLaughlin, A., R. Leone, L. Salazar, M. Swahn et S. Khader (2023). « Knowledge of sexual consent as a protective factor against sexual violence perpetration among first-year college men: A moderation analysis », Health Education Research, vol. 38, n° 2, p. 139‑149.
  8. Christoffersen, M. N. (2022). « Sexual crime against school children with disabilities: A nationwide prospective birth cohort study », Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 37, n° 3‑4, p. NP2177‑NP2205.
  9. Felson, R. B., J. Savolainen, C. Whichard, S. Fry et N. Ellonen (2021). « Opportunity and the sexual abuse of adolescents », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 122.
  10. Gulati, N. K., C. A. Stappenbeck, W. H. George et K. C. Davis (2021). « Predicting rape events: The influence of intimate partner violence history, condom use resistance, and heavy drinking », Aggressive behavior, vol. 47, n° 1, p. 69‑77.
  11. Wilhite, E. R., et K. Fromme (2021). « The differential influence of drinking, sensation seeking, and impulsivity on the perpetration of unwanted sexual advances and sexual coercion », Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 36, n° 3‑4, p. 1437‑1454.
  12. Cleveland, M. J., M. Testa et L. S. E. Hone (2019). « Examining the Roles of Heavy Episodic Drinking, Drinking Venues, and Sociosexuality in College Men’s Sexual Aggression », Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, vol. 80, n° 2, p. 177‑185.
  13. Casey, E. A., et T. Masters (2017). Sexual Violence Risk and Protective Factors: A Systematic Review of the Literature, [en ligne], Injury and Violence Prevention & Washington State Department of Health, <https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/140-164-Se…; (consulté le 15 mai 2025).
  14. Kingree, J. B., et M. Thompson (2015). « A Comparison of Risk Factors for Alcohol-Involved and Alcohol-Uninvolved Sexual Aggression Perpetration », Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 30, n° 9, p. 1478‑1492.
  15. Button, K., N. Taylor, T. Guala, D. De Andrade, K. Coomber, Z. Quigg et P. Miller (2024). « Preventing sexual harm in nightlife settings: A scoping review », Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 53, n° 7, p. 2597‑2627.
  16. Lippy, C., et S. DeGue (2016). « Exploring Alcohol Policy Approaches to Prevent Sexual Violence Perpetration », Trauma, Violence & Abuse, vol. 17, n° 1, p. 26‑42.
  17. Fitterer, J. L., T. A. Nelson et T. Stockwell (2015). « A Review of Existing Studies Reporting the Negative Effects of Alcohol Access and Positive Effects of Alcohol Control Policies on Interpersonal Violence », Frontiers in Public Health, [en ligne], vol. 3, <https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2015.00253&gt; (consulté le 2 juin 2025).
  18. 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).
  19. Paquin, S. (2019). La prévention des violences à caractère sexuel par l’aménagement des campus d’enseignement supérieur, [en ligne], Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur, <https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/adm/min/education/publication…; (consulté le 28 avril 2025).
  20. Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (2024). Guide d’accompagnement destiné aux établissements d’enseignement supérieur, [en ligne], Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, <https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/adm/min/education/publication…; (consulté le 27 mai 2025).
  21. LégisQuébec (2017). Loi visant à prévenir et à combattre les violences à caractère sexuel dans les établissements d’enseignement supérieur, [en ligne], <https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/document/lc/P-22.1&gt; (consulté le 1 mai 2025).
  22. 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.
  23. Commission des normes de l’équité de la santé et de la sécurité du travail « Loi visant à prévenir et à combattre le harcèlement psychologique et la violence à caractère sexuel en milieu de travail », <https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/fr/organisation/documentation/lois-reglem…; (consulté le 2 mai 2025).

Author: Maude Lachapelle, Scientific Advisor, INSPQ
Contributor: Anne-Sophie Ponsot, Scientific Advisor, INSPQQ
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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