An Empirical Evaluation of a Program Designed to Reduce the Risk of Multiple Sexual Victimization

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to design and empirically evaluate a program designed to reduce women's risk of multiple sexual victimization. Participants in this study were 406 college women. At the beginning of the academic quarter, participants responded to survey instruments assessing history of sexual assault, dating behaviors, sexual communication, and knowledge about sexual assault. After responding to survey instruments, women in the treatment group participated in the program. Women in the control group did not participate in the program. Participants returned at the end of the academic quarter and responded to survey instruments again. Results suggest that the program was ineffective in reducing the incidence of sexual assault among participants. In addition, the program did not significantly affect dating behaviors, sexual communication, or knowledge about sexual assault. Furthermore, the ineffectiveness of the program in these areas did not appear to be related to participants' histories of sexual victimization.