Rape Prevention and Education Program

The Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program consists of six Regional Centers for Sexual Violence Prevention and the Statewide Center for Sexual Violence Prevention Training and Technical Assistance. The Regional Centers (RC) are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement evidence-based/informed primary prevention strategies in 17 counties with the highest reported forcible rapes in New York. Each RC is required to implement one or more of the following community change strategies:

  • Community Mobilization: Community engagement with all sectors of the community in a widespread effort that facilitates ownership and action toward sexual violence prevention.
  • Coalition Building: Encouraging a broad spectrum of individuals, agencies and organizations within the community to work together to achieve the common goal of preventing sexual violence. Coalition building encourages collaboration throughout a community.
  • Policy Education: Educating the public on the evidence associated with potential organizational and public policy solutions that prevent sexual violence.
  • Social Norms Change: Strategies that lead to an increased perception among community members that social norms are non-violent and that there are more rewards for non-violent behavior.

Regional Center for Sexual Violence Prevention Providers Map

map

The Six Regional Centers consist of:

  • Region 1: The Retreat Inc.
    Serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties
    13 Goodfriend Drive
    East Hampton, NY 11937
    (631) 761-8518
    Partner: Long Island Against Domestic Violence
  • Region 2: The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault
    Serving New York, Queens, Kings and Bronx Counties
    32 Broadway, Suite 1101
    New York, NY 10004
    (212) 229-0873
    Partners: Bellevue Hospital Victim Services Program, Mt. Sinai-Beth Israel Victim Services Program, Bronx District Attorney Crime Victims Assistance Unit, and Crime Victims Treatment Center of Mt. Sinai West and St. Luke's Hospital
  • Region 3: Family Services, Inc.
    Serving Orange, Duchess and Westchester Counties
    29 North Hamilton Street
    Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
    (845) 452-1110
    Partners: Mental Health Association in Orange County and Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc.
  • Region 4: Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center
    Serving Albany, Oneida and Schenectady Counties
    112 State Street, Room 1118
    Albany, NY 12207
    (518) 447-7000
    (518) 374-5353
    Partners: YMCA of Mohawk Valley & Planned Parenthood of Mohawk Hudson
  • Region 5: Vera House, Inc.
    Serving Onondaga and Broome Counties
    723 James Street
    Syracuse, NY 13203
    (315) 425-0818
    Partner: Crime Victims Assistance Center, Inc.
  • Region 6: Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services, Inc.
    Serving Niagara, Erie and Monroe Counties
    100 River Rock Drive, Suite 300
    Buffalo, NY 14207
    (716) 834-2310
    Partners: YMCA of Niagara Frontier, RESTORE Sexual Assault Services

The Statewide Center for Sexual Violence Prevention Training and Technical Assistance

Cicatelli Associates Inc. (CAI) serves as the statewide center for sexual violence prevention training and technical assistance. CAI provides training, technical assistance, resources, and expertise to regional centers, community partners, and the Department of Health.

Prevention Related Resources

  • CDC Sexual Violence Prevention Strategies
  • CDC Stop SV: A Technical Package to Prevent Sexual Violence
  • RPE Curriculum List (PDF)
  • Lessons Learned: Testing a Strengths-Based Curriculum for Sexual Violence Prevention (PDF)
    The New York State Department of Health and Cornell University partnered on a research grant funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to build the evidence base on prevention programs that reduce sexual violence perpetration. The 2016-2021 study was unique in its focus on reducing the risk of violence perpetration, rather than victimization. Cornell University evaluated Brothers as Allies (BAA), a program that is part of the Boys Council curricula developed by One Circle Foundation.
    The BAA program is a strengths-based, group approach to promote boys' and young men's safe and healthy passage through pre-teen and adolescent years. The program focuses on building on boys' natural strengths rather than on addressing their weaknesses. Designed especially for middle school boys, the program aims to help boys learn how to talk with people in a respectful and positive way, how to understand other people's perspectives, and what it means to be a healthy, balanced man.
    This summary describes what was learned about conducting rigorous research in real-world settings, including the value of strong partnerships, communication, and planning, along with insights about the BAA program itself.
  • Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Affirming Approach and Expansive Practices (SOGIE) Handbook (PDF)
    The Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Affirming Approach & Expansive Practices Workbook, developed by the One Circle Foundation will serve as a guide to support working with, responding to, and creating safety for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual/Gender Non-Conforming, Trans (LGB/GNCT) youth in specialized group settings. This handbook will provide program educators and facilitators with knowledge of current SOGIE terminology, definitions, and compelling cross sector youth statistics to ensure program inclusivity and will be utilized in tandem with the One Circle Foundations curricula models to serve as a guide for facilitators. With this handbook, facilitators will have increased opportunity to expand their understanding and knowledge of terminology, definitions, as well as affirming approaches and practices that support working with, responding to, and creating safety for lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender non-conforming and transgender youth in specialized group settings.
  • Intimate Partner Violence
  • Bystander Intervention Toolkit

Department of Health RPE Contact Information

Bernadette Dolen, Sexual Violence Prevention Unit Director
New York State Department of Health, Division of Family Health
Bureau of Women, Infant, and Adolescent Health
Empire State Plaza - Corning Tower, Room 821
Albany, New York 12237
(518) 474-0535
rcprpt@health.ny.gov*

*Note:This shared mailbox is only monitored by Sexual Violence Prevention Program staff from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and is intended for non-emergency purposes. If you are someone who has been sexually assaulted and you are seeking immediate assistance, please contact the New York State Hotline for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence at 1-800-942-6906. If it is an emergency, contact 911.