Sexual violence prevention programs led by youth often use a peer education model. Colleges commonly use these models for health education on campus. Additionally, some high school and middle school programs incorporate models in which youth undergo training and receive mentorship from adult allies to provide information and programming to their classmates.

At the national level, we have seen a trend toward youth- and peer-led prevention programming. In a recent assessment conducted by the NSVRC (to be published January 2012), it was found that 42% of innovative sexual violence prevention programs that participated in the study are doing youth leadership and mobilization. Through these efforts, programs work with small groups of youth to build their skills for engaging in anti-violence work in their own schools and communities. These prevention focused programs emphasize support for youth-led projects.

Read more…

The article reports, “Women in greater numbers than ever before in American history are serving as soldiers exposed–though often not assigned–to combat or other serious dangers, such as from IEDs, improvised explosive devices. Two years ago, nearly 209,000 women were serving on active duty in the U.S. military. … For these women, spending time at war brings special complexities and conflicts, because in war, expectations for hypermasculine behavior are more extreme than at any other time.”

Read the full article at: http://www.womensenews.org/story/books/111109/female-veterans-carry-special-war-baggage

The article reports, “The American Association of University Women (AAUW) today released … the most comprehensive, nationally representative research conducted in the past 10 years on sexual harassment in middle and high schools. Sexual harassment pervades the lives of students in grades 7–12. Nearly half of those surveyed reported that they had been harassed in the 2010–11 school year.”

Read the full article at: LINK

Related Information: “National Study Finds Widespread Sexual Harassment of Students in Grades 7 to 12
from The New York Times, 11/7/11″

Requests for current and accurate statistics are one of the most typical inquiries received by the NRCDV. Inquiries from callers range from general requests for the latest national statistics or state-by-state data to more specific requests such as the full citation for a particular statistic or information about the accuracy of a frequently used ”fact.” Callers usually plan to use the statistics to: 1) highlight the data in publications, training events, or community presentations for educational and/or fundraising purposes; 2) develop evidence-based prevention or intervention programs; 3) advocate for changes in systems’ responses to domestic violence; or 4) develop talking points to engage the media in effectively communicating anti-violence messages.

Not all research is created equal – either in its scientific quality or its practical value. There are several questions to consider when deciding whether or not to read a research report, and if we do choose to read it, whether or not to trust what we read.” (Beeman, 2002)

Read more…