10 Priority Actions to Prevent Sexual Violence

86 people responded to the question asking respondents what they believe is the most important action to prevent sexual violence. A summary of their suggestions for action include:

1. Educate boys and men on consent, and teach girls and women they can say no.

2. Police need to be trained to deal with the victims of sexual violence

3. Prevent sexual violence by working with offenders as well as young victims

4. Healthy relationship programs for adolescents offered in schools

5. Erase the stigma and provide more information on sexual violence and harassment

6. Improve coordination among support programs and between organizations

7. Change the approach to boys and men – less labeling and stigmatizing. Provide safe space for male folks to share their hurt, learn about the hurt of women, trans, non binary folks, learn about healing and other ways to live,

8. Public Education – Use the ‘Into the Open’ model in the education of the public, more education on prevalence of SV, Engage survivors as teachers and speakers, Increase presence of violence against women providers in education, More education on consent and services.

9. Increase protective factors for children through family education, reducing the isolation of vulnerable families, improved responses for children.

10. Focused community outreach to populations most likely to be perpetrators of sexual violence.