Ending Sexual Violence Hub
Research and Evaluations
SASVic works collectively to change the attitudes, systems and structures that enable sexual violence to occur and ensure that people impacted by sexual violence have access to high-quality, timely specialist therapeutic support.
One way that we achieve this is by leading and contributing to the sexual violence evidence base. Below, you can delve into current research and evaluations from SASVic, the specialist sexual assault sector and beyond.
On this page:
> SASVic research
> SASVic evaluations
> Sector research and evaluations
> Research requests
> Where to find more sexual violence research
SASVIC RESEARCH
Supporting recovery and preventing further harm: Effective early intervention with children and young people aged 10-14 impacted by sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour
Dr Monica Campo, Sexual Assault Services Victoria (2026)
Early adolescence is a critical developmental period in which attitudes about gender, relationships, consent and sexuality are forming, and when harmful sexual behaviour often first emerges. However, evidence on effective early intervention strategies for children and young people aged 10-14 is limited.
This report examines evidence and practice relating to early intervention for children and
young people in this age group who have experienced, are at risk of experiencing, or are
engaging in sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour. The report draws on a review of Australian and international literature, and consultations with practitioners from specialist sexual assault, family violence and child and family organisations, as well as mapping of Victorian programs.
The findings demonstrate that early intervention cannot be understood as a discrete service type or point in time. Rather, it sits along a continuum of primary prevention, response and recovery.
Turning back the tide: Exploring regulatory approaches to addressing sexual violence and harm online
Dr Monica Campo and Dr Amy Webster, Sexual Assault Services Victoria (2025)
From violent pornography and child sexual abuse material to algorithms that amplify misogyny, tech companies must be held accountable for how their algorithms, operational practices, and business models contribute to sexual violence and harm.
Turning back the tide outlines why urgent action is needed and explores a range of regulatory approaches, including restricting depictions of sexual violence including strangulation and child sexual abuse material in pornography; enforcing a duty of care on technology companies to protect users; greater accountability and stronger penalties for platforms that host or promote sexual violence and child sexual abuse material; and regulating algorithms that drive users towards ever more extreme content.
Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: Knowledge-building for practitioners working with people using violence
Dr Monica Campo and Britt Baillie, Sexual Assault Services Victoria and No To Violence (2025)
This report aims to improve understanding, awareness and responses to intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) for practitioners working with people who use family violence. IPSV is a distinct tactic of family violence that often co-occurs with other forms of abuse. It is a high-risk indicator of escalating family violence that signals an increased likelihood of severe injury or death for victim survivors.
The REACH Project
McLindon, E., McKenzie, M., Webster, A., Hargrave, J., Turner-Myatt, P., Maltzahn, K. & Tarzia, L. (2024).
The REACH project focuses on better understanding what helps people to recover and heal after sexual violence. It is a research partnership between the University of Melbourne and Sexual Assault Services Victoria with collaboration from Women with Disabilities Victoria. The project has been informed and guided by people with lived experience of sexual assault and was funded by Family Safety Victoria.
Responding to the new normal: Exploring the impacts of pornography: Review of the literature and experiences of the specialist sexual assault sector
Dr Monica Campo, Sexual Assault Services Victoria (2024)
This paper provides insights from the specialist sexual assault sector and a review of the significant literature on the nature of pornography’s relationship to sexual violence and harm.
Delivering trauma-informed support for child sexual abuse victims in Victoria: Mapping the knowledge gaps and training needs of the specialist sectors
Alice Hon, Emily Roberts, Amy Webster, Sexual Assault Services Victoria (2024)
This research project provides evidence we can use to strengthen the capability of specialist child sexual abuse workers to provide trauma-informed and compassionate supports. It provides an understanding of the current knowledge and training needs of key sector workforces and identifies opportunities to embed trauma-informed curricula into key qualification pathways.
This research was funded by the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse.
SASVIC EVALUATIONS
Not Alone group program for gay men: Evaluation Summary
Dr Monica Campo, Sexual Assault Services Victoria (2026)
Gay male survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in Victoria face a significant gap in tailored group support. In response, the Not Alone program was initiated in 2024 following strong advocacy from two survivor advocates. SASVic, in collaboration with Sexual and Family Violence Centre, Eastern CASA and South Eastern CASA, developed a pilot program that aimed to create a dedicated, safe and inclusive psycho-education group for gay men who are CSA survivors. This report provides a summary of the evaluation of the Not Alone pilot.
Evaluation of the Foundations in Sexual Violence short course
Dr Monica Campo, Sexual Assault Services Victoria (2025)
SASVic received funding from the National Centre for Research on Child Sexual Abuse to evaluate our Foundations in Sexual Violence short course. Participants surveyed told us that the course increased their understanding of feminist concepts and frameworks, and that they felt more confident in applying them to their work.
Family Violence and Sexual Violence Evidence Framework
This resource was developed by Safe and Equal, No to Violence, Sexual Assault Services Victoria and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare. It provides an overarching guide to common understandings about evidence across our sectors and considerations for using, collecting, and creating evidence to guide our work.
Sector research and evaluations
Effectiveness of Brief Interventions for Sexual Assault Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Renee Burdeu, Becca Allchin, Katherine E. Harding (2025)
Lead by Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (ECASA), this research synthesises the evidence informing the effectiveness of brief interventions (fewer than six sessions of therapy) for victim survivors of sexual assault. It found brief therapy interventions have a significant impact on reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD for survivors.
The First 72 Hours After Child Sexual Assault: Reporting Children, Young People, and Mothers’ Experiences of Police, Hospital and Psychosocial Care in Victoria
Caroline Whitehouse, Peter McKenzie, Carmel Hobbs (2025)
In Victoria, children who are reported to authorities to have experienced very recent sexual assault routinely undergo a forensic medical examination and receive psychosocial care. There is very little known about how children and their families experience this process and whether current practices are meeting their needs. This study seeks to understand these experiences by undertaking a thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 10 children (aged between 4 and 16) and 8 mothers.
The normalisation of sexual violence revictimisation in regional and rural areas: Our failure to respond
Emily Corbett, Jennifer Power, Jacqui Theobald, Lee Edmonds, Kate Wright, Leesa Hooker (2023)
This study is the result of a collaboration between the Centre Against Sexual Violence Central Victoria and Latrobe University. The research sheds light on the unique challenges faced by rural and regional survivors of sexual violence in terms of disclosure, recovery, and seeking justice.
RESEARCH REQUESTS
The specialist sexual assault sector supports external research.
We have some guidelines to ensure that the research we engage with is ethical, impactful, adequately resources and aligns with SASVic’s strategic direction and the sector’s values.
WHERE TO FIND MORE RESEARCH ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE
The Family Violence Sexual Violence (FVSV) Knowledge Hub
The FVSV Knowledge Hub provides a one-stop shop for practitioners, program managers, policymakers and funders to access the latest research, resources, case studies, webinars and training opportunities. It’s all designed to strengthen practice responses and improve outcomes for victim survivors, their families and the community.
