title: Enhancing women's resistance to sexual coercion: a randomized controlled trial of the DATE program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite extensive efforts to develop sexual assault prevention programs for college women, few have been rigorously evaluated, and fewer have demonstrable effects on victimization. This study pilots the Dating Assertiveness Training Experience (DATE), designed to train young women in assertiveness skills for responding to sexual coercion and to provide them opportunities to practice these skills in a safe environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred thirty-nine female college students from a private university in the Southwest.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned to DATE or a no-treatment control group. Sexual victimization and response to acts of sexual aggression were assessed prior to randomization, after intervention, and monthly for 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women who completed DATE were less likely to be victimized than women in the control condition; those who were victimized were more likely to respond assertively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Assertiveness training for resisting sexual coercion holds promise for reducing sexual victimization of young women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275-0442, USA. lsimpson@smu.edu
authors.forename: Lorelei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Simpson Rowe
authors.forename: Ernest N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Jouriles
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Cora G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Platt
authors.forename: Gabriella S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Gomez
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000374:Aggression; D001242:Assertiveness; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003068:Coercion; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011594:Psychometrics; D011902:Rape / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult