Principal Findings
SECONDARY
This study is the first comprehensive SV risk reduction program specific to women that incorporates entertainment-education media into web-based and mobile technologies, is theoretically and empirically informed, embodies proven behavior change techniques, includes alcohol education as a central component, and integrates bystander education as well as self-defense training—all factors associated with SV risk reduction. The results from this RCT demonstrate significant changes in both primary and secondary outcomes among a racially diverse sample of first-year college students who identified as women. Among participants who had experienced any SV, RealConsent participants reported less exposure to SV (primary outcome) than control group participants (With a preponderance of evidence to support the link between alcohol misuse and exposure to SV [We also observed significant effects (The range of effects observed in this RCT could be explained by several factors. First, in developing RealConsent, we engaged in extensive formative research to ensure acceptability and relevance. These formative research steps have been highlighted as being critical for developing effective interventions [In addition, intervention implementation, delivery, and mode of delivery are relevant to acceptability. Delivery and the mode of delivery can include program format and content, which may considerably affect an intervention [Another aspect of program format related directly to observed effects is duration. As is the case with efficacious SV risk reduction programs such as the Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act program developed by Senn et al [Another program aspect that may be related to efficacy is the use of a theoretical framework and behavior change techniques to inform and guide content and activities. Research has overwhelmingly shown that health behavior theories contribute greatly to our understanding of behavior and behavior change [