TDH Booklet4 - Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Plan for Action
they may not otherwise seek. 105 Recent research shows that even
brief discussions about VAW in health care settings can improve
women’s safety and prevent abuse. 106 Additionally, universal
screening of all males and females may serve as an excellent way
to raise awareness about sexual assault, domestic violence and
stalking especially because the public generally respects health care
professionals. 107 However, many dilemmas accompany the issue of
universal screening and there are those who oppose screening
believing it may actually introduce risks for clients. 108 Very little
literature exists on screening men or women for perpetration,
though this may also be a useful prevention tool. 109
In Texas, it seems the majority of prevention efforts focused on
raising public awareness center on providing educational materials
and training. 110 Although some excellent media campaigns have
been introduced to raise awareness in Texas about sexual assault
and domestic violence, 111 a small percentage of stakeholders report
engaging in these types of activities or other high-visibility
community directed efforts.
Future Directions:
Stakeholders must have access to a spectrum of appropriate
public awareness interventions in Texas. Engaging communities to
help design, evaluate, and improve strategies to end sexual assault,
domestic violence and stalking will increase understanding of the
problems and solutions among the people living in the state.
Diverse state entities and local stakeholders will need to work with
advocates to address this critical issue area.
A STRATEGIC PLAN TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN TEXAS
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