About Primary Prevention

VAWnet Prevention Definitions and Resources This page defines and describes the theory and practice that promotes the prevention of sexual violence. Prevention approaches are designated as primary, secondary, and/or tertiary in nature, and "model" or "promising" programs, curricula, and initiatives are identified. Evaluation materials are provided to help guide evidence-based, cost-effective prevention efforts.

Creating Safer Communities: Rape Prevention Education Model of Community Change
This document is a logic model showing the theory behind how a state or a community can prevent sexual violence.

Sexual Violence Prevention article in the Prevention Researcher
This article explains the foundation of primary prevention using the Spectrum of Prevention. It also details comprehensive strategies using the model of primary prevention.

Sexual Violence Prevention: Beginning the Dialogue
Sexual Violence is a serious public health problem with extensive short- and long-term health consequences. Sexual Violence Prevention: Beginning the Dialogue identifies concepts and strategies that may be used as a foundation for planning, implementing, and evaluating sexual violence prevention activities.

Sexual Violence and the Spectrum of Prevention: Towards a Community Solution
This publication provides advocates, practitioners and educators with a guide for developing a comprehensive community approach to the primary prevention of sexual violence. It explores the Spectrum of Prevention tool, which outlines six levels of intervention and focuses on exploring conditions in an environment which allow sexual violence to occur and replacing current norms with norms that promote safety, respect and equality. This publication is available free from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

Orientation to Violence Prevention Module
Orientation to Violence Prevention is a three-part series designed to help violence prevention professionals become acquainted with the key concepts of "primary prevention"-stopping violence before it starts. It consists of three parts: 1) Moving Upstream: The Story of Prevention, 2) The Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention and 3) The Socio-Ecological Model: A Pathway to Prevention.

About Primary Prevention

Moving Upstream: Read prior issues of - Virginia's newsletter for the primary prevention of sexual violence.