What is Primary Prevention?

Primary prevention is an approach to ending sexual violence that takes place before sexual violence has occurred to prevent initial perpetration and victimization.

How does primary prevention work in our community?

Primary prevention has four main focuses for implementation. The focuses are in the areas or the involved beliefs and behaviors that contribute to the continuation of systemic sexual violence.

• Individual:

  Influences: Attitudes and beliefs that support sexual violence; impulsive and antisocial behavior; childhood history of sexual abuse or witnessing violence; alcohol and drug use.

• Relationship:

  Influences: Association with sexually aggressive peers; family environment that is emotionally unsupportive, physically violent or strongly patriarchal.

• Community:

  Influences: General tolerance or sexual assault; lack of support from police or judicial system; poverty; lack of employment opportunities; weak community sanctions against perpetrators.

• Societal:

  Influences: Inequalities based on gender, race, and sexual orientation, religious or cultural beliefs, economic and social policies.

(Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexual violence prevention: beginning the dialogue. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2005.)