Community mobilization is a promising violence prevention approach that has shown success for other health outcomes, but has never been rigorously evaluated in the United States. Close to Home (C2H), a community mobilization sexual violence (SV) prevention program implemented in 11 diverse communities across California with support from the California Department of Public Health, is a community-level, community-driven approach designed to create deep social norms change and enhance protective community environments. The evaluation seeks to provide the first rigorous evidence of the effect of community mobilization on sexual harassment and violence among youth and young adults. It utilizes a social network sampling design to effectively understand social norms and peer influence, which has rarely been conducted with US youth. This research highlights lessons learned from conducting one of very few social network sampling designs with UC youth, as well as baseline results from the social network survey data regarding the ways peer influence drive behavior related to sexual harassment and violence.

Methods:

A quasi-experimental cluster-matched control trial is being conducted to assess 2-year effects of C2H across 22 (11 pre-identified intervention and 11 control) California communities (2021-2025). Three data sources are being collected: a) socio-behavioral survey data from a social network sample, b) socio-behavioral survey data from a school-based youth sample and c) social media data from adults. The social network sampling engaged C2H and control youth participants, up to ten of their nominated peers (alter 1s), and up to ten of the alter 1s nominated peers (alter 2s). Data were collected on social norms and community connectivity regarding SV, and SV incidence in multiple forms (sexual assault, in-person and online sexual harassment, dating violence, and LGBTQ-specific forms of violence) at the individual, interpersonal, and community levels.

Results/Outcomes

Baseline results from socio-behavioral data collected through social network sampling of youth will be presented (n~900 youth ages 14-24). Results will include the relationships between protective factors, including positive bystander intentions, behaviors, and social norms, and outcomes, including sexual violence, sexual and dating violence victimization and perpetration. Additionally, these baseline results will focus on pathways of influence across peer-groups using the social network data regarding these behaviors.

Methodologically, this study provides critical learning around conducting a social network sample of US youth. The value of a social network design to understand social norms and peer influence will be highlighted in baseline results. Lessons learned about what works and what does not for motivating peer network recruitment and successfully recruiting a social network sample will be shared for the benefit of other researchers considering this approach.

Conclusions

This is the first rigorous evaluation of a community mobilization model designed to reduce SV incidence. The baseline results from the C2H evaluation will help illuminate the ways in which peer perceptions and behavior influence attitudes, bystander intentions, and behavior regarding sexual harassment and violence and will highlight novel peer-based opportunities for sexual harassment and violence prevention among US youth.