Rape prevention: Methodological problems and new directions

Sexual assault prevention programs Current issues, future directions, and the potential efficacy of interventions with women

“…According to Schewe and O'Donohue (1993a), an additional problem in prevention research is that evaluation of our efforts is occurring in isolation from one another. At present, there exists no standardized manner by which to evaluate existing programs.…”

“…In addition, most research in sexual assault prevention has not adequately controlled for the possibility that socially desirable responses are responsible for the differences between the treatment and control groups (Schewe & O'Donohue, 1993a).…”

“…For example, if female participants in a treatment group increased their mean scores on measures of risk perception and ability to respond to risky situations by approximately 7 points, it would not necessarily follow that they would then be less likely to experience sexual assault. One strategy suggested by Schewe and O'Donohue (1993a) for determining clinical significance is to determine cutoff points for high and low-risk participants. Criterion groups (e.g., poor vs. exceptional risk perception skills) could be utilized to arrive at these cutoff points.…”

“…The SES should continue to be used as a dependent measure in prospective studies due to its psychometric properties and utility as an outcome measure. Finally, we should continue to develop other behavioral measures that may assess the probability of risk of sexual assault without creating demand characteristics that would confound the results of the study (see Schewe & O'Donohue, 1993a).…”

“…Experts in the field have suggested everything from self-defense training to vomiting or defecating on oneself to appear unattractive to a would-be assailant. Some individuals who are active in the field of sexual assault prevention have stated that these strategies are far too restrictive and ultimately impinge upon a women's basic human rights (Schewe & O'Donohue, 1993a). It is the contention of many in the field that no woman should, or can be, perfectly vigilant to her environment at all times, and that all women will continue to be at risk for being sexually victimized as long as "there are men who will commit acts of sexual assault" (Schewe & O'Donohue, 1993a, p. 668).…”