This video explains how the prevention of sexual violence fits within the broader framework of public health, through four complementary levels: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary prevention. It begins by reminding us that this model is used for many health issues, such as obesity, HIV, and cancer, in order to adapt actions according to the stage of intervention in relation to the problem.
Primary prevention aims to prevent sexual violence from occurring. It relies in particular on education about consent, the development of psychosocial skills, the promotion of respectful social norms, and education about emotional, relational, and sexual life. Public awareness campaigns, age- and target-appropriate educational programs, and informational videos all fall under this first level.
Secondary prevention comes into play when at-risk situations or the first signs of violence are identified. It consists of early detection, referral, and rapid intervention. This involves training professionals to recognize warning signs, setting up listening services, phone numbers, and reporting procedures, as well as targeted actions with at-risk populations or those likely to commit acts of violence.
Tertiary prevention addresses situations where violence has already occurred. Its objective is to limit the consequences for victims and prevent recidivism. It includes psychological and medical support for victims, judicial and socio-judicial mechanisms, as well as programs for the treatment and prevention of recidivism for perpetrators of sexual offenses.
Finally, quaternary prevention aims to avoid unnecessary, excessive, or counterproductive interventions. It seeks to protect both victims and perpetrators from an escalation of interventions that could further weaken them. Concrete examples are given, such as a single hearing with a child victim to avoid traumatic repetition, or the need to coordinate educational, psychological, and legal support to ensure consistent and appropriate care.
The video concludes that effective prevention of sexual violence relies on the coordination of these four levels. None of them is sufficient on its own: it is their complementarity that makes it possible to reduce risks, better protect individuals, and limit the individual and social consequences of sexual violence.
