This application is responsive to PA-18-775 Pilot and Feasibility Studies in Preparation for Drug and Alcohol
Abuse Prevention Trials (R34). In this Stage 1a/1b study, we propose to develop and pilot test a prevention
intervention for alcohol-related sexual assault revictimization (SRV) of college women. Our research indicates
that more than 35% of women experience SRV during the college years. To date, prevention programs have
had limited success in reducing rates of SRV among college women. Prior sexual victimization (childhood,
adolescent, adult) is one of the strongest risk factors for SRV. In addition, 50-85% of college sexual
victimizations involve victim incapacitation, primarily due to hazardous drinking (HD). Thus, HD is also a strong
risk factor for SRV. To date, no preventive interventions have included components that focus on the
relationship between HD and SRV. Both intoxication and a history of sexual victimization have been associated
with lower risk perception and reduced likelihood of responding to a potential assaultive situation in a verbally
or physically assertive way (e.g., saying ‘No’ loudly, pushing a man away). This application proposes to
address HD and a history of SA, two of the strongest risk factors for SRV of college women. Guided by an
effective risk reduction model, we propose to develop a multi-modal intervention that includes two group
sessions and two on-line modules designed to provide women with information, skills-based training,
behavioral rehearsal, and problem solving skills. The intervention will occur over two weeks with post-
intervention, and 3- and 6-month post-intervention follow-up assessments. Training videos will be created for
use in the group sessions to improve women’s perception of risk cues and assist in training appropriate
behavioral responses (e.g., assertive responding) to potential SRV situations. On-line materials will coordinate
with these sessions to increase women’s knowledge of protective behavioral strategies for both dating and
drinking. First- and second-year college women with a history of SA (since age 14) and current HD (= 4 drinks
on = 2 times in 30 days) will be recruited and randomly assigned to the active intervention Revictimization
Prevention for College Women (RPCW) or an active Health Education Control (HEC) condition. The proposed
pilot randomized clinical trial will be used to demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and initial efficacy
of our proposed RPCW intervention. In addition, the results of this trial will be used to calculate effect sizes in
preparation for moving to a Stage II efficacy trial.
