Injury and Violence Prevention Branch

Sexual Violence and Rape Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that sexual violence (SV) refers to sexual activity where consent is not obtained or freely given. Anyone can experience SV, but most victims are female. The person responsible for the violence is typically male and is usually someone known to the victim. The person can be, but is not limited to, a friend, coworker, neighbor, or family member. There are many types of SV. Not all include physical contact between the victim and the perpetrator (person who harms someone else). Examples include sexual harassment, threats, intimidation, peeping, and taking nude photos. Other SV, including unwanted touching and rape, does include physical contact.

The CDC has more information that is intended for the general public in their fact sheet Understanding Sexual Violence.

Other organizations offering prevention information on sexual violence are:

• The National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• Fact Sheet: Sexual Violence in North Carolina (PDF, 315 KB) New!
• Infographic: Sexual Violence in North Carolina (PDF, 120 KB)

Rape Prevention and Education (RPE)

The goal of the Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Cooperative Agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to reduce the incidence of rape and sexual assault. In order to achieve this goal, multiple, comprehensive primary prevention approaches (i.e., approaches that prevent perpetration or victimization before it occurs) such as policy development and a broad array of training and educational services for specific professional groups and the public, including children, adolescents, and adults are implemented in the community.

The NC RPE program currently funds ten local agencies to provide primary prevention programming in their communities. Under RPE funding, these agencies can develop policies and provide educational services in their communities. In addition, funds are provided to the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) to facilitate trainings and to build statewide capacity for sexual violence prevention through technical assistance, training, and tool development for these 10 RPE-funded and other local rape crisis centers and community agencies. NCCASA also is tasked with maintaining a resource library and website that provide information on sexual violence and effective prevention strategies; and various other tasks that support the prevention of sexual violence across the state.

Resources

• CDC Sexual Violence Prevention Infographic