Sexual and gender-based violence prevention

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) includes a wide range of harmful behaviors and discrimination, including:

  • sexual assault
  • sexual and gender-based harassment
  • stalking
  • relationship violence

Together, we can create communities free from SGBV through fostering community, taking action, and supporting survivors. Some ways you can prevent SGBV include:

  • Primary prevention: involves building respectful cultures through healthy communication, clear consent, and supportive relationships — stopping harm long before it ever has a chance to start.
  • Secondary prevention: stepping in safely and effectively when harm is imminent. As active bystanders, we notice, assume responsibility, and intervene with strategies like the “4 D’s”: Distract, Direct, Delegate, Delay.
  • Tertiary prevention: cultivating healing and empowering spaces that support survivors of SGBV throughout their healing journeys. Recognizing that healing is non-linear, it promotes self-care, community care, as well as educates communities on effective allyship to compassionately support survivors.

On this comprehensive resource page, the links below can direct you to services, events, and resources that LiveWell offers in support of your relational well-being and SGBV prevention:

Services

LiveWell Confidential Advocacy

Make a 1-1 appointment or learn more about LiveWell Confidential Advocacy. Confidential Advocacy provides a safe and confidential space to help students, faculty and staff identify what they want or need after an incident of sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking has occurred.

Peer Health Education workshops

We offer educational workshops, facilitated by Peer Health Educators, on topics including:

  • Healthy Relationships
  • Preventing Sex & Relationship Violence
  • Redefining Sex
  • Supporting Survivors

Peer Wellness Coaching

Meet with a Peer Wellness Coach if you are interested in a 1-1 space to connect with a peer.

Events

LiveWell offers events throughout the year including for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) each April. Stay connected via our event calendar, email list, and LiveWell Instagram.

Resources

Healthy relationships

Our healthy relationships page covers sexual health, boundaries, consent, and more.

How to support a survivor of sexual assault & relationship violence

Sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that happens without explicit consent of the survivor. When a friend or family member is sexually assaulted you may struggle or wonder how to best support them. Resources from RAINN and Joyful Heart provide guidance on how to navigate these situations and provide support while respecting the survivor’s privacy:

Sexual assault exam

Our sexual assault exam page has information about Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Collection Exams (also called SANE exams or rape kits), including where SANE exams are provided and how to prepare for a SANE exam.

UW Campus Climate Survey data

To guide actions that improve the experiences and well-being of our students and employees, all UW campuses and UW Medicine periodically undertake a University-wide campus climate survey. The results also help shape our work to prevent and respond to sex-based and gender-based violence, harassment and discrimination. Learn more about Campus Climate Survey data.

Additional resources

This page is under construction. Please check back soon!