Advancing sexual assault prevention through implementation science.

Abstract

Objective: After nearly a half of a century of work to develop effective approaches to prevent sexual violence, there is still considerable progress to be made. Prevention approaches are often universal in nature despite recognition of the need for targeted approaches. Behavioral outcomes are not routinely assessed in evaluations. Further, effective prevention programs are not widely disseminated, and some programs being implemented have not sustained evaluation. Closing the research to practice gap is a critical next step for the field.

Method: This commentary discusses how implementation science theories and methods can help to advance the development, evaluation and dissemination of evidence-based sexual assault prevention approaches.

Results: Implementation science principles and concepts can advance the development of sexual assault prevention programs by prioritizing stakeholder engagement, systematically adapting evidence-based programs, and designing for dissemination and sustainability. The evaluation of sexual assault prevention approaches by prioritizing hybrid designs that move beyond efficacy and effectiveness trials, attending to the factors that influence implementation outcomes, and better understanding the processes through which fidelity is achieved in program implementation. Implementation science can also be utilized to facilitate dissemination and de-implementation of programs, understand the barriers to uptake, and facilitate scale up.

Conclusion: Integration of implementation science principles and concepts into efforts to develop, evaluate and disseminate sexual assault prevention programs is an important for speeding progress in sexual assault prevention, towards the goal of ultimately reducing rates of sexual violence.