Sexual violence
is a major public health problem. Many victims are under the age of 18. The
National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (found here) shows:
- 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men experience sexual
violence in their lifetime.
- Sexual violence is common in youth and is
usually committed by someone the victim knows.
- Adolescents who experience sexual violence
are likely to become victims again as adults.
The Department of
State Health Services, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Texas
Association Against Sexual Assault work to stop sexual violence before it
occurs. Positive Youth Development approaches help decrease rates of sexual
violence. We want to:
- Promote social norms that protect
against violence;
- Teach skills that promote social
emotional learning;
- Provide opportunities to support
girls and young women; and
- Create protective environments.
Select community
sexual assault programs will focus on:
- Activities at the individual, relationship,
and community levels.
- Prevention Principles from the National Sexual Violence
Resource Center.
Programs must collect data on select outcomes and measure change. Sexual
assault programs will use the following activities and community change strategies
to achieve the goals for this program:
Approved Activities
- Educational seminars
- Training programs for professionals
- Training programs for students and college campus personnel
Community Change Strategies
- Coalition Building
- Community Mobilization
- Policy Education
- Social Norms Change
We recommend the
following strategies:
- Know your community – through an active,
ongoing process identify community readiness for change.
- Cultivate relationships – cultivate
inclusive and respectful relationships within the community with intentionality.
- Youth guided – promote opportunities for
youth to inform, plan, and lead community-level work.
- Foster supportive environments – encourage
conversations that value all voices and support positive change.
- Foster cross collaboration – knowing the
causes of violence and things that can protect people is important. Violence
takes many forms including sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and bullying.
These forms of violence often share the same root causes. Identify and foster
partnerships that align with sexual violence risk and protective factors.
Support mutual collaboration and collective action while honoring the group’s
capacity.
- Action oriented – cultivate and support
the progressions of community-based initiatives based on readiness.
- Community ownership and leadership –
foster shared decision making to strengthen leadership and sustainability.
Highlight, enhance, respect, and celebrate progress.
Other agencies
working to end sexual violence include:
Texas
Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) – TAASA wants to end sexual violence in Texas
through education, prevention and advocacy. TAASA provides training on
prevention efforts and help to sexual assault programs. (TAASA's
website)
Texas Council
on Family Violence (TCFV) – TCFV promotes safe and healthy relationships. It supports service
providers. It works on strategic prevention efforts. It creates opportunities
for freedom from domestic violence. (TCFV’s website)
For more
information, please contact us at:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Maternal & Child Health
PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78714-9347
(512) 776-7373: Phone
(512) 458-7658: Fax
TitleV@dshs.texas.gov
External links to other sites are
intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas
Department of State Health Services. These external links may not be accessible
to persons with disabilities. For more information about Maternal and Child
Health or information regarding adolescent health in Texas, please email
TitleV@dshs.texas.gov or call (512) 776-7373.