The Arizona Department of Health Services receives funds from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to provide programs aimed at preventing sexual violence and rape in Arizona.  Currently, there are eleven non-profit agencies in six counties receiving funds to support a variety of primary educational programs throughout the state. 

The target populations include students in junior high through college, women in the community, professionals (medical, legal, law enforcement), and minority populations, such as mono/bilingual Latino youth and Native American youth.

Why is this program needed?  

Rape is one of life’s most devastating traumas and is likely to lead to chronic illness.  Victims of rape often manifest long-term symptoms of chronic headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbance, recurrent nausea, decreased appetite, eating disorders, menstrual pain, sexual dysfunction, and suicide attempts. In a longitudinal study, sexual assault was found to increase the odds of substance abuse by a factor of 2.5.  Estimates based on federal incidence data indicate almost 5 per 100 women over 12 years old were raped or sexually abused. It is estimated 8 of 10 rape victims know the rapist.  Estimates of the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases resulting from rape range from 3.6% to 30%. The risk of being infected with HIV from rape is estimated at 1 in 500.

Victims of marital or date rape are 11 times more likely to be clinically depressed, and 6 times more likely to experience social phobia than are non-victims. Psychological problems are still evident in cases as long as 15 years after the assault. 

What are the goals of the program? 

The mission of the Rape Prevention Education Program is to promote prevention of sexual coercion and violence by increasing the public’s knowledge about sexual coercion and violence and applying that knowledge through diverse prevention efforts. 

The goals of the program include:

• Provide information and technical assistance that contribute to heightening awareness and the prevention of sexual coercion and violence.
• Improve communication, coordination, and collaboration among contractors and other organizations providing related services.
• Build program capacity by strengthening state and local program infrastructure.
• Identify need for and support rape prevention education throughout Arizona, including sustaining or expanding successful programs and stimulating the development of new programs.

What has the program achieved?

For the past five years, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Rape Prevention and Education Program (RPEP), through community interventions, has provided rape prevention and education to students, professionals, and community members. These interventions have covered all racial and ethnic groups throughout Arizona – including Native American and Hispanic groups. 

In early 2000, the ADHS RPEP and its contractors began to lay groundwork for developing best practices in rape prevention and education.  Utilizing methods that are appropriate for the demographics and particular characteristics of their community, contractors determine how to achieve program standards and outcomes.

Need more information?

Carol Hensell, Health Program Manager
Bureau of Women’s and Children’s Health
150 N. 18th Ave., Suite 320
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Fax:     (602) 364-1495 
Phone: (602) 542-7343
Email:  henselc@azdhs.gov

Website:  http://www.azrapeprevention.org/

For the Sexual Assault Hotline in Your Area Call:

(602) 254-9000 (central & northern Arizona)
1-800-400-1001 or (520) 327-7273 (southern Arizona)