The Ecological Model

The ecological model is designed to take into account various theories of behavior and, in this case, the multitude of factors that contribute to sexual violence. It includes four levels; individual, relationship, cultural, and societal. The visual representation of the model (below) shows how the various levels interact with one another. The levels are interdependent, so changes in one level can contribute to or reinforce changes in another level. Moreover, in order to make sustainable changes, an initiative would have to focus on more than one level of the model. For example, if we only focus on changing and individual’s beliefs about sexual violence, but they are still receiving messages that are supportive of sexual violence from their peers, community, and society, is the change likely to stick?

Risk factors are factors that add to a person’s risk for being a perpetrator or victim of sexual violence. Protective factors are factors that decrease a person’s likelihood of becoming a victim or perpetrator of sexual violence. It is important to note that these behaviors and factors are related to sexual violence (because they are likely to co-occur) and are not necessarily causes of the violence. Research on protective factors is very limited at this point, so the examples given below focus on risk factors for perpetration of sexual violence.

Individual Level: These are personal factors or characteristics that are related to sexually violent behavior, including biological factors and personal history. For example, personal level risk factors include drug/alcohol use, hostility toward women, and acceptance of sexual violence.

Relationship Level: Individuals and their behaviors are influenced by their interactions with family, peers, and other important people in their lives. Relationship level risk factors include having sexually aggressive peers and having physically violent family members.

Community Level: Community level factors also greatly influence a person’s beliefs and behaviors and can set a standard for how people are supposed to behave. These influences include one’s workplace, school, various government entities, and neighborhood. Community level risk factors include a lack of policies to address sexual violence, lack of enforcement of existing policies, and a lack of employment opportunities.

Societal Level: Societal, in this sense, refers to the broader workings of a culture, including norms about gender roles, religious beliefs, and the balance of power between certain groups. Risk factors for violence at this level include inequalities based on gender, race, class, sexual orientation, etc., norms about masculinity and violence, and norms about male entitlement to sex.

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