Acceptability and feasibility of implementing the Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act (EAAA) sexual assault prevention intervention on a U.S. university campus: Themes from qualitative interviews and written reflections

Abstract

Objectives: Assess the acceptability of and self-reported behavioral change from participation in a sexual assault prevention intervention on a U.S. university campus. Participants: Thirty-one undergraduate students who identified as women and opted-in to participating in both the intervention and research. Methods: In-depth interviews and written reflections were collected. Analysis was thematic with three investigators coding and reaching consensus. Results: The EAAA program was well-liked by most participants, with positive behavior changes reported. Five key themes reflecting strengths of EAAA were identified, including improved verbal communication, reduced sexual assault myths, empowerment, recognizing and responding to danger cues, and learning about healthy sexuality. Three key themes reflecting challenges were identified, including time commitment, use of outdated program materials, and a single gender focus. Conclusions: EAAA translates well, with a few adaptations, to a residential campus environment in the U.S. Research is needed to assess program effectiveness in reducing sexual assault.

Keywords:

• Acceptability
• campus
• prevention
• qualitative
• sexual assault

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the individuals who gave us their valuable time to participate in this study. We would also like to thank everyone at the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Education Title IX Office at Stanford University, especially Carley Flanery, MPH, MSW, and Nadia Kalley, MPH, as well as the graduate-student facilitators of this intervention, without whom this study would not have been possible. Finally, we appreciate the efforts of Sophie Graham in coordinating implementation as well as providing edits to this manuscript.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the Stanford University Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, RB. The data are not publicly available due to their containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by a generous donation from Karla Jurvetson, MD. The funder had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or writing or submission of this report. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the funder.