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April 2020Vol. 21, No. 3What Works to Prevent Sexual Violence Against Children

Together for Girls, in collaboration with the Oak Foundation and the Equality Institute, created a summary of evidence that discusses which strategies are effective in preventing sexual violence against children for advocates, decision-makers, program implementers, and anyone involved in guiding efforts and policies to improve child safety and well-being. What Works to Prevent Sexual Violence Against Children (PDF - 8,929 KB) highlights the ongoing challenges and gaps in this area as well as what is working from various case studies from around the world—with special attention to low- and middle-income countries. This review is beneficial for those working with families who have been or who are at risk of child welfare involvement as a result of child maltreatment.

This resource also explores risk factors and data on the issues, including the most common ages by country, incident locations, perpetrators, what supports children have, and the impact of the internet.

This evidence review uses the INSPIRE framework to organize and categorize interventions and rates each strategy as effective, promising, prudent, conflicting, no effect, or harmful:

  • Implementation and enforcement of laws
  • Norms and values
  • Safe environments
  • Parent and caregiver support
  • Income and economic strengthening
  • Response and support services
  • Education and life skills

For each of the seven strategies, the review highlights a case study and includes experts' perspectives and additional resources.