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Behavioral Sciences
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Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention
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Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 6796

Editors

Prof. Dr. Yolanda Rodríguez Castro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
Interests: sexual education; sexual health; HIV prevention; gender violence; dating violence; sexting; porn revenge
Dr. Rosana Martínez-Román

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
Interests: violence against women and adolescents; gender-based violence; sexual violence; technology-facilitated sexual violence; coeducatiog

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sexual violence against women remains a persistent global issue, affecting individuals across all regions, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds and, according to UN Women, approximately 736 million women worldwide—nearly one in three—have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives, most often by an intimate partner. These dates do not include sexual harassment or technology-facilitated violence, which have seen a significant rise in recent years.

This Special Issue seeks to explore the diverse manifestations of sexual violence against women in various contexts—domestic, institutional, public, and digital spaces—highlighting the structural, cultural, and interpersonal dynamics that sustain it. These manifestations include sexual assault, sexual harassment in the workplace or educational institutions, street harassment, sexual violence in conflict and humanitarian settings, and technology-facilitated abuse such as non-consensual image sharing, cyberstalking, and online sexual coercion. We invite contributions that analyze these forms of violence from interdisciplinary perspectives—from gender studies, public health, psychology, law, education, sociology, anthropology and social work—and propose innovative strategies for prevention, awareness, education, and intervention. Submissions may include empirical research, theoretical reviews, intervention evaluations, and case studies that address both local and global dimensions of the issue. This Special Issue aims to foster critical dialogue and collaboration among researchers, practitioners, educators, and policymakers committed to ending sexual violence against women in all its forms.

Prof. Dr. Yolanda Rodríguez Castro
Dr. Rosana Martínez-Román
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sexual violence
  • technology-facilitated abuse
  • prevention strategies
  • education and awareness

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 301 KB  
Article
In-Person and Online Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Against Women in Europe: A Structural Multilevel Analysis and the Aggravated Risk of the Young Cohort
by Cristina Cuenca-Piqueras, María José González-Moreno and Juan S. Fernández-Prados
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16081309 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 308
Abstract
Workplace sexual harassment is a persistent human rights and public-health problem. This study analyzes in-person, online, and hybrid victimization using microdata from the EU-GBV survey (2021) across 17 countries, applying multilevel logistic models. The official indicator identifies that 31.6% of women have experienced [...] Read more.
Workplace sexual harassment is a persistent human rights and public-health problem. This study analyzes in-person, online, and hybrid victimization using microdata from the EU-GBV survey (2021) across 17 countries, applying multilevel logistic models. The official indicator identifies that 31.6% of women have experienced harassment. In-person harassment is prevalent, whereas online victimization disproportionately affects the young cohort (18–34 years). Significant between-country variation is observed, indicating the influence of the national context in shaping risk. Among women under 35, urban environment and country-of-origin dynamics are relevant exposure factors. The findings show high recurrence (57.8%), low formal reporting (1.7%), and insufficient organizational preparedness (23.4% with training available). Digitalization expands the repertoire of violence without displacing its structural foundations. We conclude that there is a need to implement integrated prevention and intervention systems that address hybrid risk through a gender-sensitive perspective and a multivariable multilevel analysis attentive to intersecting axes, with models centered on main effects and the young cohort treated as an analytical stratification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention)
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18 pages, 541 KB  
Article
Moral Disengagement Mechanisms in Image-Based Sexual Abuse Against Women: The Role of Age and Gender
by Jone Martínez-Bacaicoa, Román Ronzón-Tirado, Sophie McBain-Ritchie and Manuel Gámez-Guadix
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16071047 - 23 Jun 2026
Viewed by 422
Abstract
Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is an increasingly prevalent problem that disproportionately affects women. Understanding the psychological processes related to this behavior is essential for its prevention. Accordingly, the present study examines the activation of moral disengagement mechanisms in IBSA contexts by considering the [...] Read more.
Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is an increasingly prevalent problem that disproportionately affects women. Understanding the psychological processes related to this behavior is essential for its prevention. Accordingly, the present study examines the activation of moral disengagement mechanisms in IBSA contexts by considering the role of gender and age across the lifespan. Specifically, by using a vignette-based methodology, this study investigates which moral disengagement mechanisms are activated in scenarios of sextortion and non-consensual intimate image sharing (NCIIS) involving male-perpetrated abuse against women. A sample of 2343 participants (68.2% women) aged 14–74 years (M = 25.86, SD = 9.96, Mo = 19) completed measures which assessed eight mechanisms of moral disengagement. The results indicated that men exhibited higher levels of moral disengagement than women in relation to both sextortion and NCIIS, with younger men reporting the highest levels. Gender differences were more pronounced for NCIIS (ηp2 = 0.085) than for sextortion (ηp2 = 0.043). With regard to age, older participants reported lower overall levels of moral disengagement in both scenarios, although age effects were comparatively small (ηp2 = 0.020–0.026). The minimization of consequences in sextortion was the only mechanism that remained relatively stable across ages. Analyses also revealed significant age × gender interactions, particularly for NCIIS (ηp2 = 0.016), indicating that moral disengagement among women remained at consistently lower levels, whereas initial gender differences between men and women decreased with age. These findings are consistent with prior literature which suggests that both sextortion and NCIIS constitute gendered forms of violence and highlight the importance of targeting young men in prevention and intervention efforts aimed at challenging the justifications underlying these behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention)
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23 pages, 1012 KB  
Article
Shifting the Blame: How Narrative Framing, Coercive Strategies, and Rape Myth Acceptance Distort Perceptions of Sexual Assault and Fuel Victim Blame
by Pantxika Victoire Morlat, Maria Limniou, Isobel Phelps and Laurence Alison
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 1039; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16061039 - 22 Jun 2026
Viewed by 975
Abstract
Previous research has shown that both victim intoxication and narrative framing can influence the levels of victim blame. However, far less attention has been paid to how coercive strategy and narrative framing may interact to shape victim-blaming judgements and perceptions of sexual assault. [...] Read more.
Previous research has shown that both victim intoxication and narrative framing can influence the levels of victim blame. However, far less attention has been paid to how coercive strategy and narrative framing may interact to shape victim-blaming judgements and perceptions of sexual assault. The present study addresses this gap by examining how combinations of coercive strategies (physical force versus alcohol facilitated), narrative framing (active versus passive), and rape myth acceptance (RMA) influence victim blame and the recognition of sexual assault. Participant gender and age were also assessed in relation to RMA and victim-blaming attitudes. A total of 202 participants aged 18–63 (78.7% of women, 21.3% of men, MAge = 28.93, SD = 14.36) completed an online survey evaluating vignettes depicting a male perpetrator sexually assaulting a female victim. Age significantly predicted victim blaming, with older participants assigning greater blame to the victim. Gender predicted both RMA and victim blame, with men reporting higher RMA and greater victim blame than women. Active framing in both the physical force and alcohol-use conditions reduced participants’ recognition of the incident as sexual assault. Participants with lower RMA consistently reported lower victim blame across conditions, and were more likely to identify the incident as sexual assault in the physical force condition. These findings highlight the influence of coercive strategies and the importance of victim-centred language in policing, legal, and media contexts, where narrative framing can meaningfully shape the recognition of sexual assault. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention)
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14 pages, 306 KB  
Article
Effectiveness of the INSIGHT Program with Perpetrators of Sexual Violence Against Girls: A Non-RCT Pilot Study
by Marta Sousa, Olga Cunha, Rui Abrunhosa Gonçalves and Andreia de Castro-Rodrigues
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16060991 - 15 Jun 2026
Viewed by 333
Abstract
Sexual violence against young girls is a complex phenomenon encompassing multiple forms of abuse and leading to numerous negative outcomes. Therefore, rehabilitation measures play a critical role in reducing recidivism and enhancing victims’ safety. This study examined preliminary results of a 25-session individual [...] Read more.
Sexual violence against young girls is a complex phenomenon encompassing multiple forms of abuse and leading to numerous negative outcomes. Therefore, rehabilitation measures play a critical role in reducing recidivism and enhancing victims’ safety. This study examined preliminary results of a 25-session individual intervention program (the INSIGHT Program) designed for individuals who sexually offended in Portugal, in both prison and community settings. In this pilot clinical trial, 19 participants were assigned to one of two conditions: INSIGHT plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Data was collected at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Proximal outcomes (e.g., attitudes toward child sexual abuse, victim empathy, interpersonal problems, and early maladaptive schemas) were assessed. The Reliable Change Index (RCI) was computed. Results indicated that participants receiving INSIGHT plus TAU evidenced greater clinical improvements in empathy toward victims and interpersonal problems compared with participants receiving TAU alone. Overall, the intervention demonstrates potential to reduce some risk factors among individuals who perpetrated sexual violence against young girls. However, we highlight the need to reconsider the work carried out on EMSs, particularly regarding the techniques used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention)
21 pages, 669 KB  
Article
Preventing Sexual Violence Against Adolescent Girls: Psychometric Validation of the EDR-ESIA Screening Instrument for Early Detection of Exploitation Risk
by Beatriz Benavente, Paola Bully and Lluís Ballester
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 831; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050831 - 21 May 2026
Viewed by 444
Abstract
Sexual violence against women frequently originates during adolescence, when structural inequalities and gendered power dynamics heighten vulnerability, making early identification of risk factors essential to prevent trajectories leading to sexual exploitation. This study presents the psychometric validation of the EDR-ESIA, a screening instrument [...] Read more.
Sexual violence against women frequently originates during adolescence, when structural inequalities and gendered power dynamics heighten vulnerability, making early identification of risk factors essential to prevent trajectories leading to sexual exploitation. This study presents the psychometric validation of the EDR-ESIA, a screening instrument designed to detect vulnerability to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in healthcare, education, and social care settings, with particular relevance for prevention strategies targeting adolescent girls. The sample comprised 199 adolescents aged 11–17 years (M = 15.23; SD = 1.59) residing in Spain (58.8% female, 40.2% male, 1.0% unspecified), assessed by trained professionals using case records and reports. The 88-item instrument underwent expert review and pilot testing prior to validation, and its internal structure was examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicated that all subdimensions and higher-order constructs showed an adequate fit to the theoretical model, supporting the instrument’s validity. Female adolescents scored significantly higher than males on CSE target indicators, reflecting a medium-to-large gender difference in vulnerability levels. Overall, the EDR-ESIA constitutes an evidence-based instrument for the timely recognition of CSE vulnerability, supporting prevention, education, and intervention efforts aimed at reducing sexual violence against women from early developmental stages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention)
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20 pages, 311 KB  
Article
Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Harassment Among Teaching and Research Staff at a Public University in Northwestern Spain: Prevalence and Predictors
by Yolanda Rodríguez-Castro, Mar Fernández-Cendón, Rosana Martínez-Román and Xosé María Mahou-Lago
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16030466 - 21 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1251
Abstract
The aim of this study is twofold: (a) to identify the prevalence of sexual harassment and sex-based harassment among teaching and research staff (TRS) at a public university; and (b) to examine the predictive capacity of sociodemographic variables and prior harassment experiences on [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is twofold: (a) to identify the prevalence of sexual harassment and sex-based harassment among teaching and research staff (TRS) at a public university; and (b) to examine the predictive capacity of sociodemographic variables and prior harassment experiences on the frequency of different forms of sexual victimization (SEQ): gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, and sexual coercion. A total of 425 TRS members participated (48.9% women, 50.6% men, 0.5% not identified; mean age = 45.88, SD = 22.2), all affiliated with a public university in northwestern Spain. Findings showed that female TRS explicitly self-identified as victims of sexual harassment and gender-based harassment within the university. Overall mean scores on the three SEQ subscales were low, yet women reported significantly higher levels of gender harassment and unwanted sexual attention. Female TRS also showed higher levels of technology-facilitated sexual harassment compared with their male counterparts. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that prior sexual victimization and technology-facilitated harassment were the strongest predictors across all SEQ dimensions. Unwanted sexual attention and TFSV predicted sexual coercion, whereas higher professional rank was associated with a reduced risk within this university. In conclusion, this public university requires well-disseminated and trusted protocols that explicitly address digital forms of sexual violence, alongside sustained preventive programs aimed at reducing revictimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention)
27 pages, 613 KB  
Article
Bystanders’ Intention to Intervene in a Street Harassment Scenario: The Effects of Personal and Situational Factors
by Leila I. Vázquez-González, Ainara Nardi-Rodríguez, Andrés Sánchez-Prada, Carmen Delgado-Álvarez, Virginia Ferreiro-Basurto and Victoria A. Ferrer-Pérez
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16020209 - 31 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1552
Abstract
Street harassment is a common form of gender-based violence against women. Bystanders are sometimes present when this violence occurs, yet there is limited literature on the factors influencing their decision to intervene. We conducted two cross-sectional studies to further explore this subject. Study [...] Read more.
Street harassment is a common form of gender-based violence against women. Bystanders are sometimes present when this violence occurs, yet there is limited literature on the factors influencing their decision to intervene. We conducted two cross-sectional studies to further explore this subject. Study 1 analyzes how personal variables (gender and political opinion), and situational variables (bystander effect and type of violence) influence the intention to respond. This study included an opportunity sample of 1563 people (79.4% women and 20.6% men) that filled out a sociodemographic data sheet, the Social Desirability Scale (SDC), and the Questionnaire of Intention to Help in VAW Cases (QIHVC). The results suggest that programs targeting women should focus on diminishing feelings of fear, while those aimed at men should stress fostering empathy toward victims. Study 2 explores correlates of bystander response intentions. This study involved an opportunity sample of 785 people (80.3% women and 19.7% men), completing the same instruments as in Study 1 and adding the Global Belief in a Just World Scale (GBJWS) and the Questionnaire on attitudes towards “piropos” (AP). The results suggest that feeling responsible may influence whether bystanders choose to intervene. These insights could be used to develop more effective training program frameworks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention)
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