Sexual harm represents a significant public health issue that is, at its core, preventable. By understanding the root causes and risk factors associated with sexual harm, proactive measures can be taken to mitigate its occurrence. Prevention efforts can encompass a wide range of strategies, including comprehensive sex education, promoting healthy relationships and consent culture, providing access to mental health support and resources, addressing social norms and attitudes that perpetuate sexual violence, and implementing trauma-informed policies and interventions that hold perpetrators accountable. Moreover, early intervention and education can empower individuals to recognize warning signs, assert boundaries, and seek help. By investing in prevention strategies and fostering a culture of respect and accountability, communities can work together to create safer environments and reduce the prevalence of sexual harm, ultimately promoting the well-being and dignity of all individuals.
Additional Resources
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that sexual violence is “a serious public health problem in the United States that profoundly impacts lifelong health, opportunity, and well-being.”
Source: CDC.gov