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. 2024 Nov 21;10(1):145.
doi: 10.1186/s40814-024-01565-6.

Feasibility and acceptability of tailored sexual assault prevention in the US Air Force

Marni L Kan  1 , Nichole M Scaglione  2 , Alexander Buben  3 , Jessica K Morgan  4 , Kathryn E L Grimes  5 , Colleen J Watson  5 , Samantha Charm  6 , Ashley N Lowe  7 , Randall P Eckhoff  8 , Marian Lane  9 , Meghan K Root  10 , Leah B Pound  10
Affiliations

Feasibility and acceptability of tailored sexual assault prevention in the US Air Force

Marni L Kan et al. Pilot Feasibility Stud. .

Abstract

Background: Sexual assault prevention is a priority for the military and is likely to be most effective when tailored to specific needs and individual experiences. Technology advances make it possible to integrate individualized programming into group education settings common to military training, but this approach is not without potential challenges. Prior to implementing and evaluating a novel prevention program, it is critical to conduct a feasibility study to assess the extent to which the program can be successfully implemented, is acceptable to participants, and can be rigorously evaluated. This paper presents the results of a large feasibility study of the Sexual Communication and Consent (SCC) program in Air Force Basic Military Training. The objectives were to understand (1) the suitability and acceptability of SCC and study procedures, (2) the research team's resources and ability to manage and implement the study and SCC, and (3) the appropriateness of the data collection procedures and outcome measures.

Methods: The 26-week feasibility study involved more than 9000 trainees. At pretest, the sample was 73% male and 90% straight. Half of trainees (51%) reported not being in a romantic relationship, and 46% reported being in an exclusive romantic relationship. SCC involved 6 h of training over two sessions delivered 2 weeks apart. Sessions combined tablet-based training that was tailored to individual sexual assault risk (for revictimization, first-time victimization, or perpetration based on a screening instrument) with instructor-led classroom activities and discussion.

Results: Trainee, instructor, and observer data indicated that the program was feasible, implemented with high fidelity, and acceptable to trainees. Technology and data collection procedures worked well, but time constraints led to program changes, missed content, and missing survey data. Staff time and skill requirements for SCC implementation exceeded those of standard training.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that high-quality implementation of tailored sexual assault prevention training is feasible in a military environment, and they inform recommendations for program revisions, future evaluation, and sustainability.

Keywords: Acceptability; Feasibility; Military; Prevention; Sexual assault.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The Department of Defense Human Research Protection Office and the RTI International Institutional Review Board reviewed this study and determined it did not constitute human subjects research because it was classified as training curriculum development. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Feasibility study phased design. *Phase III ended several weeks early due to COVID-19
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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