Conceptualising the prevention of sexual assault and the role of education / Moira Carmody

There is no argument about the pervasiveness and impact of sexual violence. The challenge we face is how to prevent it. This issues paper begins by exploring the evolution of ideas in how to prevent sexual assault, including the role of feminist campaigns in gaining public recognition of the issue and how the goal of prevention is understood, and the theoretical ideas that informed these developments. The paper then considers local, national and international frameworks that promote multisectoral responses to sexual assault, discussing the effectiveness of current strategies, unintended consequences of various approaches and initiatives, and what can be learned. Public health approaches, the participation of men, relationship education, and risk avoidance are discussed. Lastly, the paper explores the key role of prevention education in preventing sexual violence, and the theoretical shifts that are occurring.