The Effectiveness of Sexual Victimization Prevention Among College Students: A Summary of “What Works”

During an academic year, between 3% and 10% of college women, nationally, experience rape; between 13% and 40% experience sexual victimization other than rape. A substantial proportion of these women are victimized repeatedly throughout their college years. Researchers and campus administrators know little about “what works” to reduce sexual victimization among college students. Evaluations suggest that most rape reduction programs improve students' knowledge and attitudes about rape but do not produce large, lasting reductions in sexual victimization. We review evaluations of college-based programs for preventing sexual victimization and highlight the most promising practices.