Framing Prevention Through an Anti-Memetic Lens

by Aniss Benelmouffok

In Antimemetics: Why Some Ideas Resist Spreading, Nadia Asparouhova explores why cultural ideas fail to spread. Much of the resistance to spreading, “immunity” as Asparouhova puts it, is due to the uncomfortable nature of antimemetic subjects.  Reading the book, I couldn't help but see efforts to prevent sexual abuse through an antimemetic lens.

To frame these ideas, she draws on two concepts:

     •    Memes and Memeplexes: Coined by Richard Dawkins in 1976, “memes” are self-replicating cultural units that spread and evolve like genes. Memeplexes—like religions and political ideologies—are networks of related memes.
     •    Mimetic Desire: Introduced by René Girard, this concept suggests we desire what others desire, emulating “models” in our social spheres. This can lead to rivalry and scapegoating.

Asparouhova proposes that if we take these two concepts as "canon," we can see how the internet has poured fuel on them. "Rather than ushering in an era of global peace, the internet made us leap at each other's throats," she says. 

 

What Are Anti-Memes?

Anti-memes are cultural ideas that resist spreading—often because they disrupt social harmony. Asparouhova writes, “Networks have a strong built-in immunity to anti-memes,” noting that these ideas tend to be suppressed because of their disruptive power.

Prevention—especially when it comes to sexual violence—is inherently antimemetic. Like disaster preparedness or gun violence prevention, it rarely garners sustained public or political support unless a recent tragedy has captured public attention. ATSA's Roadmap to Talking About Perpetration Prevention offers a structured approach to breaking through this “immunity” and reshaping how we talk about sexual harm.

Asparouhova herself points to how prevention is deprioritized in public discourse and policy. Consider how media attention surges and fades after mass shootings—or how funding for disaster preparedness lags until catastrophe strikes. Prevention doesn’t spread easily because it requires uncomfortable conversations and long-term thinking—both of which challenge the fast-paced, reactive nature of contemporary communications.

The same is true for conversations about treating individuals who have caused sexual harm. These conversations demand we acknowledge the harm sexual abuse has caused, to consider the harm that may occur, and requires frameworks grounded in science that address its prevalence in our communities.

ATSA's Roadmap to Talking About Perpetration Prevention

ATSA's Roadmap to Talking About Perpetration Prevention is a guide for turning anti-memetic ideas into meaningful conversations. It encourages professionals to lead with values—to explain why they work with people who have sexually harmed others or are at risk to. It provides structure for conversations that highlight our shared goal: ending sexual violence.

Although designed for ATSA members, this roadmap is for anyone ready to talk about prevention with nuance and purpose. It:
     •    Emphasizes collaboration with individuals affected by trauma
     •    Draws on decades of clinical research and evidence-based practice
     •    Makes prevention the focal point of our work—not an afterthought

Why We Need Champions

So how do anti-memes break through? Asparouhova’s answer: Champions. These are people who know how to navigate complex systems and bring difficult ideas into broader conversations. Champions help anti-memes find traction beyond their niche communities.

She writes:
“But to the right champion, even the most labyrinthine system feels like an invitation to create something extraordinary... You will know it when looking at the problem makes your heart expand with possibilities, rather than shrink away.”

If you’re reading this, you might be that champion. Because prevention faces many challenges —we need people willing to carry the message.

A Final Note

The ideas in the roadmap aren’t always easy to share. They’re disruptive. They challenge deeply held beliefs. They’re anti-memes. But they also carry the potential to transform lives and communities.
 
This year, we've been highlighting Changemakers within the ATSA community. Members who have embraced the challenge of sharing the message of sexual abuse treatment and prevention to transform their communities.  I hope you'll join them in sharing these ideas with conviction, even when they're difficult to express. ATSA has your back with evidence-based resources and professional media support when needed—that's how change begins.

What I Talk About When I Talk About ATSA

by Aniss Benelmouffok

It usually happens after the server takes our drink orders. A new acquaintance sitting across from me will politely ask where I work. 

“What do you do?” 

For friends who have previously gone down this path, this is well-tread territory. I can sense their shoulders droop, their eyes re-scanning the dessert menu. We’re going to talk about sexual abuse—and depending on the willingness of my new acquaintance it might be the only thing we talk about all night. 

"I work for an international non-profit preventing sexual abuse."

"Oh wow," they whisper, "Thank you, that is such important work. Good for you."  Do I bask in their praise and smile contentedly or do I delve deeper? 

It is important work—carried out by thousands of ATSA members whom I’ve had the privilege to work with and represent. But their gratitude is for the willingness to face trauma. They instinctively recognize it as an act done on behalf of society.

So when I accept their thanks, I make it clear it's on behalf of ATSA’s members—those who turn toward the hard truths every day in the service of preventing and treating sexual harm.

"I work for a membership organization of treatment providers, researchers, and professionals within the criminal justice system who treat and manage individuals at risk of causing sexual harm." 

At this point, the table is typically silent. My friend will have to tell us about his kayaking trip off the coast of Seattle next time. The questions and conversation will pour out. And the thing is, this conversation energizes me every time.  We discuss who is at risk of causing sexual harm, the effectiveness of treatment, that a significant proportion of sexual harm is perpetrated by youth, how sexual harm often occurs within the context of a household, and the ways fear and retribution make our policies less effective to prevent harm before it occurs. Everyone is affected by sexual harm, directly or indirectly, this is never more clear than during these conversations. These topics are foundational to ATSA members, but can be revelatory at the dinner table.

As ATSA's Director of Public Affairs, and the Editor of the ATSA blog, I am eager to bring that energy for these conversations to the blog. I hope to promote our members voices in alignment with ATSA’s mission, our strategic plan, and the evolving policy agenda. I invite all members to reach out to me to collaborate on future submissions that support this direction. If you have a post in mind, feel free to send a brief outline or summary or if you want to bounce ideas around - well that's one of my favorite things to do- lets do it!  
 
I’d like to acknowledge and thank the previous bloggers—Kieran McCartan, David Prescott, Kasia Uzieblo, and Robin J. Wilson—and the regular and guest bloggers who built this platform. I look forward to building on their foundation and continuing the conversations the blog has fostered for over a decade. 

In true ATSA fashion, we have the numbers to prove it: over 1.26 million views, more than 300,000 words, and 575 posts shared to date.

Let's add a few more views to that count. I look forward to sharing the stories of ATSA members and the vital work they do.