Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Behavioral Response To Threat (Brtt) As A Key Behavior For Sexual Assault Risk Reduction Intervention: A Critical Review, Raeann E. Anderson, Shawn P. Cahill

Psychology Faculty Publications

Despite extensive research on sexual assault, study of the processes and behaviors central to responding to sexual assault threats is limited. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical, narrative review of the literature on behavioral response to threat (BRTT) highlighting BRTT as mechanism of self-defense interventions and process of sexual victimization. Empirical findings regarding measurement, styles, effectiveness of different styles of BRTT, and facilitators and barriers of BRTT, are reviewed. Most individuals engage in some type of active behavior when faced with a sexual assault threat; yet, the range of the behaviors elicited can be broad and …