Objectives: This application is to support the implementation of the Enhanced Access, Acknowledge Act (EAAA) sexual assault resistance program at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA). EAAA is the only evidence-based sexual assault program that has empirically demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of the incidences of rape, sexual assault, and coercion for at least 2 years.
Throughout their 4 years at the USAFA, cadets receive continuous awareness, response, and prevention training. Despite best efforts and the implementation of numerous sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention programs, USAFA has failed to meet its goals in reducing, let alone eliminating, the level of sexual assault and harassment.
Dr. Charlene Senn developed the EAAA curriculum, which consists of mini-lectures, role-playing, interactive games, and group discussion to present material on positive sexuality, rape myths, factors that increase risk of sexual assault, effective strategies for recognizing danger, and self-defense tactics specifically designed to be used against a larger attacker.
To test the efficacy of EAAA, Senn studied 893 first-year female undergraduate students from three universities, aged 17–24 years, who participated in a clinical trial with control and intervention groups. The intervention group completed the EAAA program outlined above, and the control group was given literature and access to counselors to mimic the care given to women at most university campuses. Senn found that, in as little as 6 months, the program significantly reduced the incidence of completed rape by 58.2%. Attempted rape was also dramatically reduced over a 24-month period, with effects ranging from 55.8% to 71.8%. Further, the curriculum led to a significant increase in personal perception of being vulnerable to acquaintance rape; an improvement in the participants’ risk assessment; a sustained increase in the participants’ self-defense efficacy; a significant reduction in rape myth beliefs; and a significant increase in the participants’ effective resistance strategies.
The unique USAFA military training environment creates salient differences from a civilian university. Therefore, USAFA has conducted two pilot tests of EAAA to ensure the fit of the program in a military context. Results corroborate the outcomes achieved by Senn. A number of cadets reported having used the techniques they learned in EAAA to avoid a situation leading to a potential sexual assault or coercion. Further, program participants report increased efficacy of being able to stop an attempted assault and to avoid/escape situations in which the chances of experiencing a sexual assault are more likely. Participants are more likely to feel they would be successful in fighting off an attempted rape by an acquaintance or stranger. Additionally, they are more likely to feel confident about their abilities to avoid and escape dangerous situations.
Anticipated Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes: The short-term outcome is to continue the EAAA program in fall 2020. All incoming female cadets will complete the 12-hour EAAA program. In addition, each cadet will complete a baseline survey, a survey at the completion of the course, and follow-up surveys in October and April. A statistician will analyze the data, and the Principal Investigators will report the findings to the Superintendent’s Office.
Long-term outcomes include a reduction in the number of sexual assaults at USAFA. Further, female cadets will increase their ability to detect risk of sexual assault, increase their efficacy in being able to defend themselves if confronted with a sexual assault situation, and decrease their belief in rape myths that impair recovery from sexual assault. |
