Sexual Assault & Harassment Prevention Program for Military Personnel

Overseen By Laura Thormaehlen

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Disqualifiers: Non-Air Force, Rank not E1-E4

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

1200 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a program called X-CoRe, designed to prevent sexual assault and harassment among military personnel. The research aims to determine if the program can improve knowledge and attitudes about respectful relationships, reduce victimization, and boost bystander actions. It also examines whether the program can enhance unit cohesion and readiness by reducing risky behaviors like alcohol misuse and thoughts of self-harm. The study targets Air Force personnel stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst who are English-speaking, have internet access, and are in the lower enlisted ranks (E1-E4). As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to research that could lead to safer and more cohesive military environments.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the X-CoRe program is safe for military personnel?

Research has shown that the Code of Respect (X-CoRe) program addresses sexual assault and harassment in the military through methods like leadership training and social marketing. Although specific safety data for X-CoRe is unavailable, the program involves educational and social activities, which typically carry very low risk.

Since the program does not involve drugs or medical procedures, concerns about side effects or adverse reactions are minimal. Instead, it aims to enhance knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which are generally safe and well-received. Participants in similar programs often report positive experiences without significant negative effects.

Overall, the X-CoRe program appears to be a safe option for those interested in preventing sexual assault and harassment in military settings. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Code of Respect (X-CoRe) Multi-Level Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention Program because it takes a comprehensive approach to prevention, unlike typical programs that may focus solely on individual training sessions. This program uniquely integrates a Junior Enlisted Component, a Leadership Component, and a Social Marketing Campaign, targeting multiple levels within the military structure to create a cultural shift. By addressing both individual behavior and organizational culture, X-CoRe aims to create a more respectful and safe environment, potentially leading to more sustainable and impactful outcomes than existing standalone training programs.

What evidence suggests that the X-CoRe program is effective for preventing sexual assault and harassment?

Research has shown that the Code of Respect (X-CoRe) program, which participants in this trial may receive, addresses sexual assault and harassment in the military by targeting various groups, including junior enlisted personnel and leadership. The program spreads its message through social marketing. Although more studies are needed to confirm its long-term impact on reducing these issues, the program's approach remains unique and thorough. It aims to improve knowledge, skills, and attitudes about respectful relationships, potentially reducing harmful behaviors. The goal is to enhance teamwork and mission readiness by lowering risks like alcohol misuse and intimate partner violence. Early findings suggest that this multi-level strategy could effectively create safer environments. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Belinda Hernandez, PhD, MPH

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for active duty airmen ranked E1-E4 stationed at JBMDL, New Jersey. Participants must speak English and have access to an internet-capable device. It's not open to those in other service branches or ranks outside of E1-E4.

Inclusion Criteria

You are a current active duty member stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

English speaking

You have a device that can connect to the internet.

Exclusion Criteria

Airmen not ranked E1-E4 at JBMDL

Being in service branches other than Air Force (e.g., Army or Navy)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive the Code of Respect (X-CoRe) multi-level sexual assault and harassment prevention program or a control condition

6 months

Baseline assessment and program implementation

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in psychosocial determinants, bystander behavior, and unit cohesion

12 months

6 months follow-up, 12 months follow-up

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Junior Enlisted Component
• Leadership Component
• Social Marketing Campaign

Trial Overview The 'Code of Respect (X-CoRe)' program aims to prevent sexual assault and harassment among airmen by improving attitudes towards respectful relationships, reducing victimization, promoting bystander intervention, enhancing unit cohesion, and mission readiness.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Control Condition Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Group II: Code of Respect (X-CoRe) Multi-Level Sexual Assault (SA) and Harassment (SH) Prevention Program Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead Sponsor

Trials

974

Recruited

361,000+

United States Department of Defense

Collaborator

Trials

940

Recruited

339,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The small-group preventive intervention significantly reduced unwanted sexual contact among incoming cadets at the US Air Force Academy by nearly 50% compared to the control group.

This study is notable as one of the first rigorously designed trials to show a substantial impact on reducing unwanted sexual contact in a military academy setting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prevention of Unwanted Sexual Contact Among Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy: A Brief Small-Group Intervention. Griffin, KW., Williams, C., Travis, W., et al.[2023]

The Getting To Outcomes® (GTO®) pilot program, implemented at 10 military installations from 2019 to 2022, successfully improved understanding and capacity for sexual assault and harassment prevention, with most sites completing all GTO steps at least once.

Despite challenges such as complexity, personnel turnover, and disruptions from COVID-19, participants reported increased confidence in their prevention programs and expressed a desire to continue using parts of GTO, highlighting the need for ongoing leadership support and engagement for effective implementation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Prevention from the Bottom-up: a Pilot of Getting To Outcomes in the US Military. Chinman, M., Acosta, J., Bush-Mecenas, S., et al.[2023]

The study analyzed data from 821,807 male U.S. Army soldiers between 2004-2009 to identify high-risk individuals for sexual assault perpetration, finding that a small percentage (top 5%) of soldiers accounted for a significant proportion of assaults.

Key predictors of risk included prior criminal behavior and mental health issues, suggesting that targeted interventions could be developed using administrative data to effectively prevent sexual assaults among high-risk personnel.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predicting Sexual Assault Perpetration in the U.S. Army Using Administrative Data. Rosellini, AJ., Monahan, J., Street, AE., et al.[2018]

Approximately 60% of cadets and midshipmen at U.S. Military Academies reported experiencing some form of sexual victimization, with 86% of female and 42% of male respondents affected, highlighting a significant issue within military training environments.

Victims of sexual victimization, especially those experiencing multiple types (polyvictimization), had notably more negative perceptions of their leadership's morality and intolerance for sexual victimization, indicating a potential impact on morale and trust in military leadership.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Unsafe in the camouflage tower: sexual victimization and perceptions of military academy leadership. Snyder, JA., Fisher, BS., Scherer, HL., et al.[2012]

In a study of 1,337 Army and Air Force servicewomen, 13% reported experiencing sexual assault in nondeployed locations, highlighting a significant issue within the military.

Negative leader behaviors, such as allowing sexually demeaning comments, were found to more than double the odds of sexual assault, indicating that military leaders play a crucial role in either increasing or reducing the risk of such incidents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Relationship Between US Military Officer Leadership Behaviors and Risk of Sexual Assault of Reserve, National Guard, and Active Component Servicewomen in Nondeployed Locations. Sadler, AG., Mengeling, MA., Booth, BM., et al.[2020]

A study involving 52 active duty Airmen revealed that high-risk situations for sexual assault included excessive alcohol use, specific physical settings, and work-related circumstances, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.

Gender differences were noted, with female Airmen identifying unique high-risk factors such as power imbalances, isolation, and environments dominated by men, suggesting that sexual assault risk reduction training should be tailored to address these specific vulnerabilities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceptions of High-Risk Situations for Sexual Assault: Gender Differences in the U.S. Air Force. Silber Ashley, O., Lane, ME., Morgan, JK., et al.[2019]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11558222/

Short-Term Outcomes of a Healthy Relationship ... More rigorous research is needed to determine X-CoRe's impact on SH and SA victimization and the long-term impact on associated psychosocial determinants.

2. formative.jmir.org formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e64412/PDF

XSL•FO Background: Sexual harassment (SH) and sexual assault (SA) are serious public health problems among US service members.

3. sapr.mil sapr.mil/Portals/156/FY18_Annual_Report.pdf

Department of Defense Annual Report on Sexual Assault ... The. Military Departments and National Guard continued to update policy, processes, and programs to support Service members who report sexual assault and sexual ...

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/sexual-assault-harassment-prevention-program-for-military-personnel-a0107

Sexual Assault & Harassment Prevention Program for ... This program is unique because it combines multiple components, including a focus on junior enlisted personnel, leadership involvement, and a social marketing ...

5. dhra.mil dhra.mil/Portals/52/Documents/DAC-PSM/DAC-PSM_Training_Study_Final_Report_June_2023.pdf

DoD's Training of Junior Enlisted Service Members Reserve/National Guard are much the same (that is, more junior/younger Service members experience higher rates of sexual misconduct) but the ...

6. apps.dtic.mil apps.dtic.mil/sti/trecms/pdf/AD1215038.pdf

A Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Program ... - DTIC Leadership Component. The leadership track of the program will include the same Modules 1-7 that the Junior Enlisted are receiving. This was ...