Study: Sexual Violence Prevention Program Works

Self-reported instances of sexual violence in 13 Kentucky public high schools dropped by more than half over the past five years, according to a new $2 million study based on more than 80,000 anonymous student surveys.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paid for the study beginning in 2009 to test the effectiveness of the Green Dot violence prevention program created at the University of Kentucky. The program teaches students to recognize warning signs of potential sexual violence in others and how to intervene safely to prevent it from happening.

Instances of violence dropped by more than 50 percent in the 13 selected public high schools while increasing slightly at 13 high schools that did not adopt the program.

Federal grants will pay for the program to continue.