Using participatory action research to mobilize communities for primary prevention of sexual violence

Background. Sexual violence prevention research has primarily explored individual-level risk factors for perpetration and victimization. Project Envision recognized the lack of knowledge of community-level conditions that contribute to sexual violence and undertook a community-based initiative to identify opportunities for primary prevention. Methods. A community needs assessment utilizing participatory action research (PAR) was conducted in the South Bronx, the Lower East Side of Manhattan and Williamsburg, Brooklyn (NYC) in order to examine perceptions of the scope of sexual violence, its root causes and the opportunities for prevention. Over 500 individuals across the three communities participated in focus groups (n=215), key informant interviews (n=6) and street-intercept surveys (n=355). Results. Among the key findings were: approximately 50% of the participants have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15 and 53% report knowing someone who has; perceived root causes of sexual violence include substance abuse, lack of education, and gender inequality; opportunities for prevention include working with youth and families to provide education on and facilitate dialogue about sexual violence, as well as working with service providers, educators, activists and local media outlets to promote respect and positive social norms. Detailed results stratified by community characteristics will be presented. Implications. In addition to generating rare community-level data, PAR was an effective community mobilizing tool to build coalitions dedicated to primary prevention. Strong community coalitions will be valuable assets when developing and implementing sustainable community-based prevention programs in the next phase of Project Envision.