BOAT structured prevention program to reduce sexual and gender-based violence in middle schools
Official title: Evaluation of the Effect of the BOAT® Structured Prevention Program on Violence in Middle Schools
Run by University Hospital, Montpellier · NCT06471413 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try the BOAT prevention toolbox with middle school students aged 13–17 to see if it reduces sexual and gender-based violence and builds protective skills.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 13 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 5400 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Montpellier Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Montpellier) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 2, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 24, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06471413 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are middle school students about 13–17 years old enrolled at one of the participating schools and willing school staff, all able to understand French and participate with appropriate consent.
✕Probably not a fit
Students outside the 13–17 age range, those who opt out or whose parents refuse consent, non-French speakers, or students at schools not using the BOAT are unlikely to receive benefit from this project.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational project will roll out the BOAT (BOite A ouTils) prevention toolbox in 60 middle schools across six French academies over four school years (2023–2027), with the first year used for preparation and setup. The BOAT is organized around five themes and four age groups and contains 134 validated intervention sheets designed to reduce risk factors and build protective factors against violence. Participating students (randomly selected fourth- or ninth-grade students, roughly ages 13–17) and school staff will receive BOAT interventions delivered by school professionals. The study is coordinated by Montpellier University Hospital and has sought the required regulatory approvals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, BOAT could lower rates of sexual and gender-based violence in schools and strengthen students' protective skills and resilience.
How similar studies have gone: Other school-based prevention programs have shown modest effectiveness at reducing violence, but the BOAT toolbox itself has limited large-scale outcome data so far.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Middle school students: students enrolled in a middle school included in the study, enrolled in the fourth or ninth grade and randomly selected to participate in the research. The age of a fourth or ninth grader is between 13 and 17. * Educational team: professionals and teachers working in a middle school participating in the research (included in the study). Exclusion Criteria: * Schoolchildren: opposition to participation in the search by the child's parents (or one of the 2 parents with parental authority) and/or opposition by the child. * Educational team: opposition to participation in the search. * Person unable to speak French * Person unable to understand the nature, purpose and methodology of the study
Where it's running
-
CHU de MONTPELLIER
Montpellier, France Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Mathieu LACAMBRE, PH
- Email: m-lacambre@chu-montpellier.fr
- Phone: 0467338577
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.