Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Virgin Islands Rape Prevention and Education - Virgin Islands Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program Sexual Violence (SV) is a pressing global and national public health issue with profound, lasting effects on individuals, their communities, and society at large. SV has detrimental impacts on physical and mental health. It is linked to risky behaviors and trauma, hindering social interaction and employment opportunities, thereby increasing the risk of revictimization. SV disproportionately affects vulnerable populations due to social and structural determinants of health, encompassing factors such as demographics and access to resources. The U.S. Virgin Islands’ unique rural characteristics and population composition increases risk of SV. Close-knit communities and cultural norms inhibit reporting and access to supportive services, compounded by health care system strains and shortages. There is a need for concentrated efforts on culturally appropriate, evidence-based programs that target individual, community, and societal factors to mitigate SV. The RPE program aims to increase the capacity and infrastructure for SV prevention through training, educational opportunities, and adequate monitoring and program evaluation. The program intends to reduce SV by reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors through collaboration and the implementation of primary prevention strategies. Target populations include women, school-aged girls, African Americans, Hispanics, underinsured/uninsured individuals, and those living in underserved locations. This comprehensive program encompasses a multi-faceted approach involving collaborations, target strategies, and evaluation mechanisms to address SV and health disparities in the USVI, aiming for both immediate and long-term positive outcomes.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).