Rape Prevention and Education Program

The Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program is a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded program that was authorized through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The Rape Prevention and Education Program aims to promote health equity and prevent sexual violence by addressing social factors like poverty and discrimination that contribute to the prevalence of violence by fostering meaningful engagement and coordination with communities while building sustainable infrastructure.

Resource Center: Training, Technical Assistance, and Evaluation

In June 2024, the New York State Department of Health and Health Research, Inc. released a request for applications to provide training, technical assistance, and evaluation support for the Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program.

Communities Mobilizing for Safety: A Public Health Approach to Sexual Violence Prevention

In March 2024, the New York State Department of Health and Health Research, Inc. released a request for applications for organizations to plan, implement, and evaluate community-level sexual violence prevention strategies.

In June 2024, the Sexual Violence Prevention Unit conducted a brief, anonymous survey to gather feedback on the Communities Mobilizing for Safety RFA (CCH-2024-01).

Prevention Related Resources

  • Centering Health Equity and Cultural Relevancy in Sexual Violence Prevention in New York State: Findings and Recommendations (PDF)
    This report was funded by the NY Rape Prevention and Education Program to better understand which primary prevention strategies providers of sexual assault support services are currently implementing across New York state and what is needed to advance health equity for sexual violence prevention in the state. The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault collected information to develop the report, findings, and recommendations though a survey of New York State Department of Health-approved rape crisis programs and focus group interviews with members of the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault health equity advisory committee.
  • CDC Sexual Violence Prevention Strategies
  • CDC Stop SV: A Technical Package to Prevent Sexual Violence
  • RPE Curriculum List (PDF)
  • Lessons Learned: Testing a Strengths-Based Curriculum for Sexual Violence Prevention (PDF)
    The New York State Department of Health and Cornell University partnered on a research grant funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to build the evidence base on prevention programs that reduce sexual violence perpetration. The 2016-2021 study was unique in its focus on reducing the risk of violence perpetration, rather than victimization. Cornell University evaluated Brothers as Allies (BAA), a program that is part of the Boys Council curricula developed by One Circle Foundation.
    The BAA program is a strengths-based, group approach to promote boys' and young men's safe and healthy passage through pre-teen and adolescent years. The program focuses on building on boys' natural strengths rather than on addressing their weaknesses. Designed especially for middle school boys, the program aims to help boys learn how to talk with people in a respectful and positive way, how to understand other people's perspectives, and what it means to be a healthy, balanced man.
    This summary describes what was learned about conducting rigorous research in real-world settings, including the value of strong partnerships, communication, and planning, along with insights about the BAA program itself.
  • Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Affirming Approach and Expansive Practices (SOGIE) Handbook (PDF)
    The Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Affirming Approach & Expansive Practices Workbook, developed by the One Circle Foundation will serve as a guide to support working with, responding to, and creating safety for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual/Gender Non-Conforming, Trans (LGB/GNCT) youth in specialized group settings. This handbook will provide program educators and facilitators with knowledge of current SOGIE terminology, definitions, and compelling cross sector youth statistics to ensure program inclusivity and will be utilized in tandem with the One Circle Foundations curricula models to serve as a guide for facilitators. With this handbook, facilitators will have increased opportunity to expand their understanding and knowledge of terminology, definitions, as well as affirming approaches and practices that support working with, responding to, and creating safety for lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender non-conforming and transgender youth in specialized group settings.
  • Intimate Partner Violence
  • Bystander Intervention Toolkit

Contact Information

Bernadette Dolen, Sexual Violence Prevention Unit Director
New York State Department of Health, Division of Family Health
Bureau of Women, Infant, and Adolescent Health
Empire State Plaza - Corning Tower, Room 821
Albany, New York 12237
(518) 474-0535
SVPrevention@health.ny.gov*

*Note:This shared mailbox is only monitored by Sexual Violence Prevention Program staff from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and is intended for non-emergency purposes. If you are someone who has been sexually assaulted and you are seeking immediate assistance, please contact the New York State Hotline for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence at 1-800-942-6906. If it is an emergency, contact 911.