Sexual ViolenceCOASTNCT07261722
Collaborative Opportunities for Reducing Alcohol and Sexual Violence Together
A study testing Peer-Based Motivational Interview and Health and Well-Being for All in people with Sexual Violence and Behavior Change, run by State University of New York at Buffalo at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to test if a modified peer-based motivational intervention (the Military PAIRS; MPAIRS) is reasonable and practical for military contexts. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does it works to reduce SV? Does it works to reduce risky drinking? To test this, participants will… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 24 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sexual Violence, Behavior Change, Military Training
- What is being tested?
- Peer-Based Motivational Interview and Health and Well-Being for All
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 132 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 10 Oct 2025to Apr 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 24 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Enlisted U.S. Navy service members on active duty status
- Meet criteria for risky drinking (i.e. score of 4+ for men, 2+ for women according to the AUDIT-C)
- Have an eligible peer and the pair must socialize together at least twice a month
Who cannot join
- Individuals who endorse evidence of withdrawal (Item 6 on the AUDIT)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University at Buffalo Department of Psychology
Buffalo, New York, 14260
Jennifer P Read, Ph.D., 716-883-2574, jpread@buffalo.edu
About this study
Official title: Harnessing the Power of Military Peers to Reduce Sexual Violence and Risky Drinking in Service Members
The goal of this clinical trial is to test if a modified peer-based motivational intervention (the Military PAIRS; MPAIRS) is reasonable and practical for military contexts. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does it works to reduce SV?
- Does it works to reduce risky drinking? To test this, participants will answer questions about their SV history and risky drinking. Then they will be given MPAIRS. After 1 month, they will be asked about their SV history and risky drinking again.
Read the detailed description
The objective of the proposed study is to adapt an innovative, peer-based motivational interview (PMI) that encourages and prepares peers to reduce sexual violence (SV) risk. Delivered to pairs of peers (dyads), the PMI will be designed to foster collaborative efforts to increase readiness for, and decrease barriers to helping behavior, and to teach and plan together for assault prevention skills. As the role of alcohol has been under-addressed in SV prevention efforts, the PMI also will explicitly attend to how intoxication may serve as a barrier to peer intervention, and strategies for overcoming this barrier. The completion of this project's aims will yield a novel intervention that capitalizes on the natural resource of military responsibility to decrease risk for sexual violence - a pervasive problem affecting a substantial portion of military service members in the U.S.
In Phase One of the study, twelve peer dyads will participate in the peer-based motivational interview (PMI). The study will compare the participants at baseline to themselves at a 1 month follow up on outcomes. The study will focus on whether effects are in the expected direction and whether the strength of effect sizes are of practical magnitude. It is expected that participants will demonstrate significant increases in readiness, and engagement in peer assault prevention behavioral skills (PAPBs), and demonstrate decreases in perceived barriers. Follow-up data will be utilized to provide a rich description of the role of alcohol in implementing PAPBs, and whether the PMI reduces the impact of alcohol use. In exploratory analyses, it will be examined whether the intervention may be associated with decreased assault risk, as well as decreased drinking.
In Phase Two of the study, twenty seven peer dyads will will participate in the peer-based motivational interview (PMI) and twenty seven peer dyads will receive a general health education control. We will compare groups on outcomes at post-intervention and at monthly follow-ups over a three-month period, and also examine within-subjects change. Given the developmental nature of the study and the smaller sample size, we will focus on whether effects are in the expected direction and whether the strength of effect sizes are of practical magnitude. We expect participants receiving the PMI to demonstrate significant increases in readiness, and engagement in peer-based protective behaviors and alcohol strategies, and decreases in perceived barriers (improved self-efficacy, relationship concerns) at post-intervention and over the 3-month follow-up. We will also use our follow-up data to provide a rich description of the role of alcohol in implementing PAPBs, and whether the PMI reduces alcohol's impact. In exploratory analyses, we will examine whether the intervention may be associated with decreased assault risk, as well as decreased drinking
- Conditions
- Sexual Violence, Behavior Change, Military Training
- Being tested
- Peer-Based Motivational Interview, Health and Well-Being for All
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Peer-Based Motivational InterviewBehavioural
The intervention will use Motivational Interviewing's (MI) collaborative conversation style for strengthening commitment to change, to motivate and prepare service members to work together to reduce Sexual Violence (SV) risk. This intervention will target ways that the peer dyad may support, encourage, and share responsibility with one another in protecting against SV. The Peer-based MI (PMI) will then use the responsibility and relationship of peers as a framework to foster collaborative efforts to increase readiness and decrease barriers to helping behavior. As part of this, the PMI will focus on the identification and implementation of skills peers can use to help one another prevent SV. PMI will include a focused discussion of the ways drinking may impede helping efforts. Moreover, the PMI will encourage service members to identify personal, specific strategies for reducing the effects of alcohol on helping.
Health and Well-Being for AllBehavioural
This single-session intervention, is designed to be delivered to peers in a group or dyad-based format, examines social determinants of health and wellness across a variety of domains. The intervention outlines a 6-step process for improving overall wellness. The CDC offers a number of handouts and other materials (e.g., peer dialogue exercises, data cards) that accompany the didactic material. In this study, the HWBA intervention will be delivered by a project interventionist. The session will be designed to be time equivalent (90 minutes) to the MPAIRs intervention. (Pember, 2018)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Peer-Based Motivational Interview (PMI) (Phase One) | Experimental | Will participate in the Peer-Based Motivational Interview (PMI) intervention in Phase One Receives: Behavioral: Peer-Based Motivational Interview |
| Peer-Based Motivational Interview (PMI) (Phase Two) | Experimental | Will participate in the Peer-Based Motivational Interview (PMI) intervention in Phase Two Receives: Behavioral: Peer-Based Motivational Interview |
| Health and Well-Being for All | Active comparator | The control group for Phase Two will be Health and Well-Being For All intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Health and Well-Being for All |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Readiness to intervene
10 item scale scored on a 5 point likert type scale with higher value indicating they are more ready to intervene on behalf of the other member of the dyad in areas of concern for abuse.
Modeled after: Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University (2010). Readiness Ruler. Center for Evidence-Based Practices, Case Western Reserve University.
Measured: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
Peer -Directed Bystander Behaviors Scale for Friends
44 item scale. The answers provided are yes/no/"I did not perceive an opportunity to do this" for each item in 3 different contexts (Friend, Stranger, Someone in Military). Each item is a situation that the participant may have been in to help someone in the past month. The participant reports if they did that helped, didn't help, or didn't have that situation for each context.
Banyard, V. L., Moynihan, M. M., Cares, A. C., \& Warner, R. A. (2014). How do we know if it works? Defining measurable outcomes in bystander-focused violence prevention. Psychology of Violence, 4(1), 101-115.
Measured: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
Assault Protective Strategies
20 item scale. It is scored on a 4 point likert type scale with an option for "I prefer to not answer" and an option for "I did not perceive an opportunity to do this". The scale is made up of items of strategies that people do either before going out, or while they are out to reduce risk for sexual assault. The participant reports to what extent they use each strategy with a higher number meaning they use the strategy to a greater extent.
Measured: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
PBSS-20 Alcohol Protective Strategy
20 item scale. It is scored on a 6 point likert type scale. The scale is made up of items of different strategies people often use to protect against negative consequences of alcohol use. The participant reports to what extent they use each strategy with a higher number meaning they use the strategy to a greater extent.
Treloar H, Martens MP, McCarthy DM. The Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale-20: improved content validity of the Serious Harm Reduction subscale. Psychol Assess. 2015 Mar;27(1):340-6. doi: 10.1037/pas0000071.
Measured: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Sexual Assault Experiences
Revised Sexual Experiences Survey (R-SES) will be used to assess how many times different sexual assault situations have occurred over the last month. The number of events will be added together to give the number of times the participant was assaulted.
Measured: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
Change in Drinking
Using a grid-based average assessment measure based in the Daily Drinking Questionnaire, participants will report on alcohol consumption. Higher scores indicate greater alcohol consumption.
Measured: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Dec 2025
- Study start10 Oct 2025
- Primary completionMar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionApr 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sexual ViolenceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by State University of New York at BuffaloThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- There are two phases to this clinical trial. In the first Phase, there is no control group and participants are just being compared between at the time of the intervention and at follow up. This is a single group model In the second phase, there is a control group in a parallel model.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 132 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- State University of New York at Buffalo
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jennifer Read, State University of New York at Buffalo
- Investigators
- Jennifer P Read, Ph.D., Principal investigator, University at Buffalo
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07261722
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 00006595
- Other IDs
- TP210286
- Acronym
- COAST
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 23 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The investigators will share a de-identified data set which will include baseline demographics and readiness to intervene, peer -directed bystander behaviors, peer-based assault protective strategy use, and Alcohol Protective Strategy outcomes.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Harnessing the Power of Military Peers to Reduce Sexual Violence and Risky Drinking in Service Members
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07261722
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- COAST / 00006595
- Conditions
- Sexual Violence, Behavior Change, Military Training
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 132 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- State University of New York at BuffaloUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Apr 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to test if a modified peer-based motivational intervention (the Military PAIRS; MPAIRS) is reasonable and practical for military contexts. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does it works to reduce SV?
- Does it works to reduce risky drinking? To test this, participants will answer questions about their SV history and risky drinking. Then they will be given MPAIRS. After 1 month, they will be asked about their SV history and risky drinking again.
Detailed description
The objective of the proposed study is to adapt an innovative, peer-based motivational interview (PMI) that encourages and prepares peers to reduce sexual violence (SV) risk. Delivered to pairs of peers (dyads), the PMI will be designed to foster collaborative efforts to increase readiness for, and decrease barriers to helping behavior, and to teach and plan together for assault prevention skills. As the role of alcohol has been under-addressed in SV prevention efforts, the PMI also will explicitly attend to how intoxication may serve as a barrier to peer intervention, and strategies for overcoming this barrier. The completion of this project's aims will yield a novel intervention that capitalizes on the natural resource of military responsibility to decrease risk for sexual violence - a pervasive problem affecting a substantial portion of military service members in the U.S.
In Phase One of the study, twelve peer dyads will participate in the peer-based motivational interview (PMI). The study will compare the participants at baseline to themselves at a 1 month follow up on outcomes. The study will focus on whether effects are in the expected direction and whether the strength of effect sizes are of practical magnitude. It is expected that participants will demonstrate significant increases in readiness, and engagement in peer assault prevention behavioral skills (PAPBs), and demonstrate decreases in perceived barriers. Follow-up data will be utilized to provide a rich description of the role of alcohol in implementing PAPBs, and whether the PMI reduces the impact of alcohol use. In exploratory analyses, it will be examined whether the intervention may be associated with decreased assault risk, as well as decreased drinking.
In Phase Two of the study, twenty seven peer dyads will will participate in the peer-based motivational interview (PMI) and twenty seven peer dyads will receive a general health education control. We will compare groups on outcomes at post-intervention and at monthly follow-ups over a three-month period, and also examine within-subjects change. Given the developmental nature of the study and the smaller sample size, we will focus on whether effects are in the expected direction and whether the strength of effect sizes are of practical magnitude. We expect participants receiving the PMI to demonstrate significant increases in readiness, and engagement in peer-based protective behaviors and alcohol strategies, and decreases in perceived barriers (improved self-efficacy, relationship concerns) at post-intervention and over the 3-month follow-up. We will also use our follow-up data to provide a rich description of the role of alcohol in implementing PAPBs, and whether the PMI reduces alcohol's impact. In exploratory analyses, we will examine whether the intervention may be associated with decreased assault risk, as well as decreased drinking
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- There are two phases to this clinical trial. In the first Phase, there is no control group and participants are just being compared between at the time of the intervention and at follow up. This is a single group model In the second phase, there is a control group in a parallel model.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Peer-Based Motivational Interview (PMI) (Phase One) | Experimental | Behavioral: Peer-Based Motivational InterviewWill participate in the Peer-Based Motivational Interview (PMI) intervention in Phase One |
| Peer-Based Motivational Interview (PMI) (Phase Two) | Experimental | Behavioral: Peer-Based Motivational InterviewWill participate in the Peer-Based Motivational Interview (PMI) intervention in Phase Two |
| Health and Well-Being for All | Active comparator | Behavioral: Health and Well-Being for AllThe control group for Phase Two will be Health and Well-Being For All intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 24 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Enlisted U.S. Navy service members on active duty status
- Meet criteria for risky drinking (i.e. score of 4+ for men, 2+ for women according to the AUDIT-C)
- Have an eligible peer and the pair must socialize together at least twice a month
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Individuals who endorse evidence of withdrawal (Item 6 on the AUDIT)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Peer-Based Motivational InterviewThe intervention will use Motivational Interviewing's (MI) collaborative conversation style for strengthening commitment to change, to motivate and prepare service members to work together to reduce Sexual Violence (SV) risk. This intervention will target ways that the peer dyad may support, encourage, and share responsibility with one another in protecting against SV. The Peer-based MI (PMI) will then use the responsibility and relationship of peers as a framework to foster collaborative efforts to increase readiness and decrease barriers to helping behavior. As part of this, the PMI will focus on the identification and implementation of skills peers can use to help one another prevent SV. PMI will include a focused discussion of the ways drinking may impede helping efforts. Moreover, the PMI will encourage service members to identify personal, specific strategies for reducing the effects of alcohol on helping. | Behavioural | Peer-Based Motivational Interview (PMI) (Phase One), Peer-Based Motivational Interview (PMI) (Phase Two) |
| Health and Well-Being for AllThis single-session intervention, is designed to be delivered to peers in a group or dyad-based format, examines social determinants of health and wellness across a variety of domains. The intervention outlines a 6-step process for improving overall wellness. The CDC offers a number of handouts and other materials (e.g., peer dialogue exercises, data cards) that accompany the didactic material. In this study, the HWBA intervention will be delivered by a project interventionist. The session will be designed to be time equivalent (90 minutes) to the MPAIRs intervention. (Pember, 2018) | Behavioural | Health and Well-Being for All |
Primary outcome
Readiness to intervene
Time frame: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
10 item scale scored on a 5 point likert type scale with higher value indicating they are more ready to intervene on behalf of the other member of the dyad in areas of concern for abuse. Modeled after: Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University (2010). Readiness Ruler. Center for Evidence-Based Practices, Case Western Reserve University.
Peer -Directed Bystander Behaviors Scale for Friends
Time frame: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
44 item scale. The answers provided are yes/no/"I did not perceive an opportunity to do this" for each item in 3 different contexts (Friend, Stranger, Someone in Military). Each item is a situation that the participant may have been in to help someone in the past month. The participant reports if they did that helped, didn't help, or didn't have that situation for each context. Banyard, V. L., Moynihan, M. M., Cares, A. C., \& Warner, R. A. (2014). How do we know if it works? Defining measurable outcomes in bystander-focused violence prevention. Psychology of Violence, 4(1), 101-115.
Assault Protective Strategies
Time frame: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
20 item scale. It is scored on a 4 point likert type scale with an option for "I prefer to not answer" and an option for "I did not perceive an opportunity to do this". The scale is made up of items of strategies that people do either before going out, or while they are out to reduce risk for sexual assault. The participant reports to what extent they use each strategy with a higher number meaning they use the strategy to a greater extent.
PBSS-20 Alcohol Protective Strategy
Time frame: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
20 item scale. It is scored on a 6 point likert type scale. The scale is made up of items of different strategies people often use to protect against negative consequences of alcohol use. The participant reports to what extent they use each strategy with a higher number meaning they use the strategy to a greater extent. Treloar H, Martens MP, McCarthy DM. The Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale-20: improved content validity of the Serious Harm Reduction subscale. Psychol Assess. 2015 Mar;27(1):340-6. doi: 10.1037/pas0000071.
2 secondary outcomes
Sexual Assault Experiences
Time frame: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
Change in Drinking
Time frame: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The investigators will share a de-identified data set which will include baseline demographics and readiness to intervene, peer -directed bystander behaviors, peer-based assault protective strategy use, and Alcohol Protective Strategy outcomes.
Related trials for Sexual Violence
Active, not recruiting
What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls in Madagascar
Comprehensive Sexual Education
Not yet recruiting
BEAR for Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Assault and Have Suicidal Thoughts
Sexual Assault and Rape, Suicidal Thoughts
RecruitingPhase 2
Study of Cross-Cutting E-Health Prevention Approaches
Alcohol Misuse Prevention, Sexual Violence Prevention
Enrolling by invitation
The Effectiveness of a Brief Early Intervention of Acute Stress Syndrome Stabilization Protocol for Victims of Sexual Violence (ASSYST-SV).
Acute Stress Symptoms, Sexual Violence
Recruiting
SER Familia: A Family-Based Intervention Addressing Syndemic Conditions Among Latino Families
Substance Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Jennifer P Read, Ph.D. principal investigator
University at Buffalo
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Peer-Based Motivational Interview and Health and Well-Being for All in people with Sexual Violence and Behavior Change, run by State University of New York at Buffalo at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Jennifer P Read, Ph.D. (7166450193, jpread@buffalo.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Readiness to intervene (time frame: In Phase 1, at baseline and 4 week follow up. In Phase 2, at baseline, 1 month follow up, 2 month follow up, and 3 month follow up.). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Apr 2026.