The prevention of sexual violence in school settings with adolescents: A study protocol for the cluster randomized trial of the SUN (Stand Up Now against sexual violence) Program

Background Sexual violence (SV) is a global public health issue that may arise during adolescence. This project aims to develop, deliver, and assess the efficacy of a new SV bystander prevention program for adolescents: the SUN (Stand Up Now against sexual violence) Program. This manualized bystander program, specifically targeting SV, will be implemented by psychologists in Portuguese schools. The SUN combines psychoeducation with skills training exercises, targeting social norms, attitudes, emotions, and behaviors. Program contents include sexual and reproductive rights, SV, sexual consent, bystander attitudes and behaviors, and empathy. Methods This mixed-method study will involve a pragmatic parallel-arm cluster randomized controlled trial, conducted with the following goals: to assess the program’s efficacy regarding bystander attitudes and behaviors, SV myths, sexism, and empathy; to examine the maintenance of changes three, six, and nine months after the program’s completion; to assess mechanisms of change (i.e., to test whether the reduction of SV myths and sexism and the increase in empathy will predict increases in bystander attitudes and behaviors); to investigate whether age, gender, sexual orientation, and personal history of victimization will influence participants’ responsivity to the program; to assess acceptability and feasibility. The sample will include adolescents from high schools in the North and Centre of Portugal, enrolled in 10th and 11th grades. Participants will be assessed at five time-points using self-report questionnaires and focus groups will be conducted to gather their perceptions regarding the Program. Discussion This will be the first primary prevention program for SV to be assessed in a cluster randomized trial in Portugal, and one of the first to do so in Europe, particularly using a bystander approach. Trial Registration This trial was prospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT06830278 Registered on 17 February 2025).