Sexual Violence Prevention Association

Our mission is to prevent sexual violence systemically by revolutionizing policy, research, and institutions. Our goal is to shift power and build systems that prevent the root causes of sexual violence. We seek to achieve this goal using the three pillars of policy, research, and institutions.

>> POLICY <<
As the only national organization dedicated to preventing sexual violence systemically, we are committed to enacting perpetration-centered policies that dismantle the societal institutions that uphold and encourage sexual violence at all socio-ecological levels. We use our research and expertise to advocate for legislative action on a local, state, and national scale. This includes proposing new legislation, building coalition, grassroots organizing, and advocating for policy reform.

>> RESEARCH <<
We use artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, and statistical analysis to generate groundbreaking research insights for sexual violence prevention. We put this research into action via our legislative advocacy and by providing colleges, companies, and other institutions with best practices for preventing sexual violence. We envision ourselves becoming the national hub for data, research, and information regarding sexual violence prevention.

>> INSTITUTIONS <<
The SVPA offers a variety of programs, consulting, and membership opportunities for institutions to drastically improve their sexual violence practices. Our flagship program is the SVPA Score - the first and only assessment for campus sexual violence. SVPA Scores are widely publicized which empowers prospective students to select the school that will best protect them. It also encourages universities to improve protections for sexual assault and rape. In the future, the SVPA Score and other services will be expanded to assess companies, businesses, and other employers.

>> POLICY <<
K12 Education Policy:
The K12 Sexual Violence Prevention Taskforce is a state policy that will designate a group of community members responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining a K-12 curriculum that prevents sexual violence perpetration and victimization. The curriculum is focused on preventing sexual violence via short lessons that are embedded in the existing curriculum. These lessons are age-appropriate and compound each year.

Title IX Reform:
We are currently in the process of advocating for Title IX reform. In June, our Founder and CEO testified before the Department of Education to advocate for prevention as a requirement for future TItle IX regulations. In September, we met with the White House Gender Policy Council to discuss the need for prevention education in all K12 schools, colleges, and universities. As the legislative process continues, we have more interventions planned.

>> RESERACH <<
Data Collection:
The SVPA is creating the largest and most extensive database for campus sexual violence. This data is the foundation for machine learning algorithms and big-data analytics that expand the research for effective prevention strategies. The SVPA envisions itself as a transparent hub for data, research, and information regarding sexual violence prevention. This is achieved by providing large databases of standardized data, tools, and services for researchers, redacted reports from campuses and workplaces, and compiled directories of verified research studies as well as research and analysis completed in-house.

Research:
We analyze our data using machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and statistical analysis to generate groundbreaking research insights. These insights inform all other aspects of our work including the SVPA Score and Campus Membership. We also put our research insights into action via our legislative advocacy.

>> INSTITUTIONS <<
SVPA Score:
We invented the first and only assessment for universities’ sexual violence practices. The SVPA Score uses artificial intelligence to evaluate universities' policies, programs, and practices for sexual violence prevention and survivor support. The scores are widely publicized and will soon be a factor included in ranking and comparison systems such as US News and College Confidential. The SVPA Score empowers prospective students to select the school that will best protect them. It also builds trust between active students and Title IX administrators.

Campus Membership:
Our campus membership is a subscription service designed to supplement traditional consulting services. We provide insights in a variety of mediums including research briefs, policy memos, issue statements, news clips, event roundups, anonymous forums, and an active community of Title IX administrators. This ensures Title IX administrators are armed with the tools, resources, and information they need to keep their campus' safe.

We are able to meet our goals because we have a very qualified team and resources available to us. Our core team consists of over 20 people who range from part-time to full-time, many of which have been involved since the SVPA was founded. Most notable are the Development Director, Policy Director, Research Coordinator, Public Relations Coordinator, and Event Coordinator. We also have a regular flow of interns, co-ops, and consultants from Northeastern University, Brown University, and other schools. Currently, we have three full time team members and we are bringing on two more full time members within the coming months.

One of our biggest resources is our coding platforms, software, programs, and algorithms. Some of these resources were created by our team members and others were donated to us. Also, we received access to some of these resources from the universities that we are affiliated with. Similarly, we receive access to datasets, databases, academic journals, research, newspapers, and more from our universities affiliations. Lastly, our many partnerships provide us access to space for small meetings and events. This includes meetings for the SVPA Score as well as small events to present our research findings to administrators and students.

We have connections to university administrators, elected officials, press contacts, and industry experts. We are currently leveraging these resources to work with the first handful of universities on our beta release of the SVPA Score. Another resource is our partnerships. Some of our most notable partners include the Sexual Assault Response Coalition, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, the Every Voice Coalition, the University Survivors Movement, and Students Rise International. We also have valuable connections and partnerships with the Title IX offices at Harvard University, Brown University, Northeastern University, Smith College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Stonehill College. One of our most important resources is our mentorships. Most notable is our mentorship with Paul Stey, the Director of Scientific Computing and Data Science at Brown University. Lastly, our most valuable resource is our team. We are a team of diverse survivors and our lived-experience provides invaluable expertise.

>> POLICY <<
K12 Education Policy:
We have written the K12 Sexual Violence Prevention Taskforce legislation and example curriculum. Currently, we are meeting with students, teachers, elected officials, and other stakeholders. We will be proposing the policy during Rhode Island's next legislative cycle.

Title IX Reform:
We are currently in the process of advocating for Title IX reform. In June, our Founder and CEO testified before the Department of Education to advocate for prevention as a requirement for future TItle IX regulations. In September, we met with the White House Gender Policy Council to discuss the need for prevention education in all K12 schools, colleges, and universities. As the legislative process continues, we have more interventions planned.

>> RESERACH <<
Data Collection:
The SVPA is creating the largest and most extensive database for campus sexual violence. Currently, we have a plethora of data collected from a multitude of institutions. Most of these institutions are located in the same geographic region. We are currently focused on expanding our data sources to include the entire country.

Research:
We have numerous research reports and publications. Our most prominent research reports include: Using a Social Issue Certification to Prevent Campus Sexual Violence, Preventing Sexual Violence Against Black Men and Boys, and The Analysis and Application of Sexual Violence Prevention Practices in Universities, Workplaces, and Nursing Homes.

>> INSTITUTIONS <<
SVPA Score:
After over three years of research and development, the SVPA Scoring algorithm is complete. We are now in the process of beginning the first round of scores. We will be publishing the first round of scores at a kickoff event, which will also mark the start of our public database.

Campus Membership:
Our campus membership has been fully developed and is currently offering services to campus administrators and student groups. These services include policy memos, research briefs, issue statements, news clips, event roundups, and more.