Relationship skills for teens to prevent sexual aggression and date rape (expanded study)
Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
Scientist(s):
S. Marie Harvey, PhD
,
John Noell, PhD
,
Lynne Swartz, MPH, CHES
When asked whether they have experienced sexual coercion, defined as pressure to do something sexual or physically intimate that they didn’t want to do, large percentages of young women—in some studies as many as 44%—report having been coerced at some point during their adolescence. While the extreme experience of rape can bring terrible consequences such as depression, pregnancy, and even suicide, lesser forms of aggression are not without their cost. Theories abound for why sexual coercion happens. Most agree, however, that the solution to the problem lies in educating both males and females about what they can each do to solve the problem.
This project resulted in three video tapes: Risky Situations: The Reality of Rape, Making It Work: Teens Talk About Relationships, and Harassment on Trial. A radio talk show sets the stage for The Reality of Rape. As teens call in and describe their experiences, a pattern emerges that teaches viewers to identify and avoid risky situations such as isolated locations, the use of drugs or alcohol, or social indebtedness—situations in which one person has provided material goods (e.g., paying for a movie) and the other feels indebted. Making It Work features a group of teens discussing how to develop and maintain a healthy relationship, including finding someone who shares your values and interests; getting attention in constructive ways (rather than baiting or teasing); how to recognize and avoid controlling/coercive individuals, and how to graciously end a relationship. Harassment on Trial takes place in a teen arbitration court. Through the process of three "trials," viewers learn how to identify sexual harassment, come to understand both the motivation of harassers and the harm done to victims, and finally what they can do to end sexual harassment.
This program was evaluated by 142 high school students in a randomized control trial that took place in high school health classes. All the participants began by completing a survey about their knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and feelings about sexual harassment and coercion. Half of the group spent the next three days watching the series and then answered the questions a second time. The other half continued with their regular health curriculum. To measure long-term effects, 30 days later both groups answered the survey questions a third time.
For questions pertaining to rape, those viewers who saw the Reality of Rape program developed a significantly greater appreciation of the issues, including the types of situations that are more likely to lead to date rape and the fact that most rapes are not committed by strangers. Regarding Making It Work, the program significantly raised teen awareness that controlling individuals are more likely to become dangerous or abusive and should therefore be avoided. Viewers of the program Harassment on Trial improved their understanding that harassment is defined by the person being harassed, not by the intentions of the perpetrator. That is, a person may only intend to "tease lightly" to get attention, but if the person receiving the teasing does not like it, then the behavior is harassment and must be stopped.
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