I recently found a paper outlining the history of sexual abuse and efforts towards its prevention. Here are the basics:
Origins
-The study and practice of sexual assault prevention was born out of the many social movements of the 1960-70s with the Consciousness Raising feminists.
    -The first rape crisis centers
-Susan Brownmiller published Against Our Will in 1975.
    -gave history and culture of violence against women.
    -raised public awareness
        -laws emerge to address public concern
            -marital rape
            -rape shield laws: bar defense attorneys from using victim's sexual history as evidence.
            -Rape Control Act in 1975
Key Concepts
-Rape is a fear of every woman that impacts decisions and restricts freedom
-Rapists exaggerate society's gender role stereotypes.
-The victim is too often blamed.
The Movement
-Around the 1980s, the U.S. had a huge increase in survivors speaking out.
    -increased activism and services for survivors
    -increased public awareness and the demand for prevention programs
-Mary Koss's Ms. Magazine Project on Campus Sexual Assault began in 1984.
    -survey college students to better understand sexual assault
        -Rape is a common experience
    -Robin Warshaw published these stories in the 1988 book, I Never Called It Rape
Debates
-Root causes
    -society vs. individual
    -focus on prevention in youth with problematic behavior
        -medicate?
-Justice problem vs. public health concern
Advocates
-Rape Crisis Centers try to change the power distribution and attitudes on society.
    -raise public awareness
    -inspire action to end sexual violence
Empowerment
-Protect the vulnerable: women and children
    -courses on what to do in dangerous situations
Children
-Recieved massive media coverage
-Educational resources on abuse provided for children
Legislation and Response
-Expand the definition of rape and increase penalties for rapists
-Federal grants for prevention programs in the 1980s
    -Violence Against Women Act in 1994
-1990s: increase in survivors seeking services
    -Shifted focus from prevention to the needs of survivors
Prevention: "Best Practice"
-programs need to show how effective their work is.
    -evaluation and research
Backlash
-False Memory Society questioned people's stories of abuse and challenged therapists that supported them.
-Question the validity of prevention programs
-People think that the number of cases of sexual violence was just being overstated


The document can be viewed at http://www.ccasa.org/documents/History_of_SAPE_Long_Version.pdf


Julie Anolick