Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42424336›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Evaluating a sexual violence primary prevention program in Australian secondary schools: A protocol for a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial.

Freda Haylett, Jacqueline Kuruppu, Jessica Ison, Jacqui Theobald, Gabriel Caluzzi, Xia Li, Innocent Mwatsiya, Sarah Vrankovich, Kerryn O'Rourke, Adam Bourne and 4 more

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Freda HaylettViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6945-8778
Jacqueline KuruppuViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5866-7567
Jessica IsonViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4910-3257
Jacqui TheobaldSocial Work and Social Policy, Department of Rural Allied Health, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8872-119X
Gabriel CaluzziCentre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3203-6123
Xia LiOffice of Research Infrastructure, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1890-5548
Innocent MwatsiyaViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2845-5512
Sarah VrankovichAustralian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1736-0419
Kerryn O'RourkeRealist Research, Evaluation & Learning Initiative, Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3496-3967
Adam BourneAustralian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Kirsty ForsdikeViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
Nicola HenrySocial Equity Research Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Felicity YoungViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
Leesa HookerViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSexual violence is a global human rights issue and a significant public health concern. Prevention of sexual violence requires addressing the structural and social norms that perpetuate it. Schools are promising settings for primary prevention interventions, as early socialisation experiences can shape attitudes and behaviours that enable sexual violence. However, evidence on effective school-based interventions is limited. The objective of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an Australian sexual violence primary prevention program, the Schools Education Program, on student sexual violence knowledge, attitudes and behavioural intentions. METHODS/

designA two-arm, parallel pilot cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted with Year 9 students (aged 13-15) in 12 secondary schools across one Australian state. Ten schools will be randomly allocated to the SEP intervention (n = 6) or a waitlist control (n = 4); an additional two schools are pre-assigned to the waitlist control group. The SEP comprises three student education modules, parent and staff education, and the recruitment of School Student Champions. The primary outcome is sexual violence knowledge. Secondary outcomes include attitudes, behavioural intentions, and implementation factors. Quantitative data will be collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 6-month follow-up. Analysis will use linear mixed-effects models to provide preliminary estimates of effect and estimate key parameters for a future definitive trial. The trial is embedded within a concurrent realist evaluation that includes qualitative methods to explore the mechanisms and contextual conditions shaping these outcomes. DISCUSSION: This study is the first pilot trial to evaluate a sexual violence primary prevention intervention in Australian secondary schools. In addition to the trial focused on sexual violence prevention outcomes, its integration with realist evaluation methodology will advance knowledge about how, when, and for whom these outcomes occur. The study findings will inform adaptability and scalability for secondary schools nationally and internationally.

trial registrationThe trial is prospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (reference: ACTRN12625000409471p). Registered 6 May 2025. PROTOCOL VERSION: v.1.0, 20/05/2025.

Indexed as

Primary PreventionSex OffensesAdolescentAustraliaFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansMalePilot ProjectsProgram EvaluationRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSchoolsStudents

Identifiers

PMID42424336
PMCPMC13349101

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.