In Their Own Words: Sexual Assault Resistance Strategies Among Kenyan Adolescent Girls Following Participation in an Empowerment Self-Defense Program

Published in Sage Journals (2023)

The purpose of this study was to examine, via testimonial data, resistance strategies used to thwart a sexual assault among slum-dwelling Kenyan adolescent girls (N  =  678) following their participation in an empowerment self-defense program (IMpower). A subset of girls from the larger trials participated. The majority (58.2%) of perpetrators were strangers; there were no differences in resistance strategies used between strangers versus known perpetrators (83.8% used verbal strategies, 33.2% used resistance strategies, 16.7% ran away, and 7.9% used distraction). Associations between resistance strategies and perpetrator tactics, number of assailants, location of the assault, and the presence of a bystander were also examined.

Young People’s Experiences With an Empowerment-Based Behavior Change Intervention to Prevent Sexual Violence in Nairobi Informal Settlements: A Qualitative Study

Published in Global Health: Science and Practice (2021)

In this qualitative study, girls described how IMpower enabled them to recognize and resist sexual assault via verbal and physical strategies for self-protection,negotiate sexual consent, and exercise agency. Boys described increased ability to avoid risky behaviors and “bad” peer groups and to understand and respect consent. Girls also described how the intervention strengthened their self-confidence, and boys said that it boosted positive life values and gender-equal attitudes. Skilled facilitators and interactive and relevant content were highlighted as key to intervention success.

Effectiveness of a Sexual Assault Self-defense Program for American Indian Girls

Published by Journal of Interpersonal Violence (2021)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 6-session (12-hour) empowerment self-defense classroom delivered curriculum (i.e., IMpower) among American Indian girls. Girls (N=74) in one middle school and two high schools on an Indian Reservation in the Great Plains region of the United States received the intervention and completed a pre-test and a post-test six months following the final program session.

Efficacy of a Sexual Abuse Prevention Program with Children on an Indian Reservation

Published by Journal of Child Sexual Abuse (2020)

American Indian youth experience high rates of child sexual abuse. To date, however, we are aware of no programs that have assessed outcomes associated with an evidence-based CSA prevention program among American Indian children. The purpose of the proposed study was to assess the preliminary acceptability and efficacy of IMpower, a 12-hour curriculum that teaches children how to identify their anatomy, recognize risk, say “no,” and tell others if they are being hurt.

“I learned that I am worth defending”: A process evaluation of a sexual assault prevention program implemented on an Indian reservation

Published by Journal of Community Psychology (2020)

The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptability of im-plementing an empowerment SA self‐defense program for adolescent girls on an Indian reservation. Data for the study came from posttest surveys of Native American adolescent girls who participated in an SA prevention program and interviews with community stakeholders, including program participants. Results showed that acceptability was high among program participants and community stakeholders.

Sexual Violence Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Malawi: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Implementation Trial of Empowerment Self-Defense Training

Published in BMC Public Health (2018)

This cluster-randomized controlled trial studied the effect of a standardized ESD program (IMpower) on sexual violence outcomes among primary and secondary school girls in three districts of Malawi. Results support the effectiveness of the intervention to reduce sexual violence victimization, and approach the elimination of violence against women and girls set forth with Sustainable Development Goal #5.

A Behavior-Based Intervention That Prevents Sexual Assault: the Results of a Matched-Pairs, Cluster-Randomized Study in Nairobi, Kenya

Published in Prevention Science (2016)

This cluster-randomized, matched-pairs, parallel trial of a behavior-based sexual assault prevention intervention in informal settlements of Kenya evaluated the impact on girls experience of sexual assault.

Evidence that Classroom-Based Behavioral Interventions Reduce Pregnancy-Related School Dropout Among Nairobi Adolescents

Published in Health Education & Behavior (2016)

This study evaluates the effect of behavioral, empowerment-focused interventions on the incidence of pregnancy-related school dropout among girls in Nairobi’s informal settlements. Analysis reveals that pregnancy-related school dropout decreased by 46%.

The Impact of a Six-Week School Curriculum on Boys' Attitudes and Behaviors Related to Gender-Based Violence in Kenya

Published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence (2015)

This study evaluates boys' attitudes and behaviors towards girls and women. Evidence shows both improved significantly after receiving NMNW programming and were sustained one year later.

Rape Prevention Through Empowerment of Adolescent Girls

Published in the Pediatrics Journal (2014)

This study evaluated an empowerment and self-defense training intervention for adolescent girls in the African context. This intervention proved highly effective at preventing sexual assault and should be replicable in other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and around the world.

A Self-Defense Program Reduces the Incidence of Sexual Assault in Kenyan Adolescent Girls

Published in the Journal of Adolescent Health (2013)

A standardized six-week empowerment defense program is effective in reducing the incidence of sexual assault in slum-dwelling high school girls in Nairobi, Kenya.

 Noteworthy Publications

Feminist Self Defense: The Only Proven Solution

Published in apolitical.co (2018)

Women's self-defense training is the only sexual violence prevention strategy with solid evidence of effectiveness at reducing rates of victimization.

Violence Against Children: A Review of Evidence Relevant to Africa on Prevalence, Impacts and Prevention 

Published in Big Win Philanthropy (2018)

This paper is a review of evidence relevant to the nature, impact and prevention of interpersonal  violence against children in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls: What Does the Evidence Say? 

Published in The Lancet (2015)

In this Series paper, we review evidence for interventions to reduce the prevalence and incidence of violence against women and girls.