A Longitudinal Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Sexual Assault Education Program

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of a sexual assault education program. Participants in this study included 224 college women who were randomly assigned to either the treatment group or the control group. Early in the academic year, all women were assessed with respect to history of sexual victimization and general knowledge about sexual assault. At the time of the initial session, women in the treatment group also participated in a 1-hour sexual assault education program. Women in the control group did not participate in the program. At the end of the academic year, participants in both groups returned for a 7-month follow-up session and were assessed for knowledge about sexual assault and experience of sexual victimization during the follow-up period. Although the program was successful in increasing knowledge about sexual assault, it was not successful in reducing the incidence of sexual assault.