Lee Helmken, MPH, CHES Michelle Passonno, MSEd Padma Ravichandran, MPH, CHES Using Theory to Inform Comprehensive Sexual Violence Prevention Programming Working Toward Systemic Change:
Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, attendees will be able to: 1.Describe the constructs of two key theories as they apply to health promotion practice. 2.Apply theory to sexual violence prevention and other health promotion programs. 3.Discuss the importance of collaboration in implementing sustainable, theory-driven health promotion programs.
Poll Everywhere
Prevention vs. Intervention Stopping the violence before an initial act actually occurs – Conditions that “allow” acts, e.g., “rape culture” – Conditions that “inhibit” acts, e.g., continuum of behaviors – Promoting specific behaviors, e.g., bystander intervention Addressing effects after occurrence in hopes of preventing recurrence – Recognizing the violence as offender’s conscious choice – Responding to the violence as criminal behavior – Referring victims to appropriate services PreventionIntervention
A one-time program or event One skill-building session One protocol or procedure One group working alone The same as “Risk Reduction” Sexual Violence Prevention is NOT:
Risk Reduction vs. Prevention Risk Reduction: “Accepting” violence as a part of society Prevention: “Changing” social norms/conditions that “normalize” violence
Self-defense (how to avoid potential attacks) Safety tips (don’t walk alone in unlit areas) Recognizing warning signs of abusive behavior Risk Reduction is NOT Prevention
Prevention Requires Culture Change Changing attitudes and beliefs that lead to specific behaviors Challenging the conditions (environment) that “support” sexual violence Acknowledgement that we can’t just accept the world (culture) the way it is and expect violence will go away Culture change =ongoing commitment
Social-Ecological Model Recommended by: – American College Health Association (ACHA) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault (Not Alone) Considers characteristics of the individual, their relationships, their community, and larger cultural and societal contexts Allows for truly comprehensive work to prevent and respond to sexual violence
Example of Social-Ecological Model
Source: White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, April 2014
Example of Social-Ecological Model Dahlberg & Krug, 2002
Why use the Social-Ecological Model? Allows for true public health approach It is unlikely that approaches that only focus on the individual will have a broad public health impact Coordinated strategy that requires collaboration to address: – Campus-wide policy – Multiple influencers – Structural and social norms – Use of consistent messaging to reinforce positive norms Campus SaVE Act requires campus-wide efforts
Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, Georgia Lee Helmken, MPH, CHES Health Educator, Sexual Violence Prevention Health Promotion, a unit of Stamps Health Services
General prevention education throughout campus: – MyStudentBody online training – Orientation session – Class presentations – Awareness events Focus on: – Positive social norms – Consent and healthy sexuality/healthy relationships – Tools to recognize potentially sexually violent situations and safely intervene – Campus and community resources Georgia Tech: Individual
Georgia Tech: Relationship VOICE Trainings: Greek: Safe Sister and Fraternity Men Against Violence Ally/Advocate Don’t Stand By, Stand Up! VOICE Peer Education Program New PAUSE Student Organization
Campus-wide VOICE Initiative Take Back the Night & Clothesline Project Healthy Relationship Surveys Updated Sexual Misconduct Policy Committees Sexual Violence Prevention Alliance Title IX Response Team Campus SaVE Working Group New: Presidential Task Force on Sexual Violence Georgia Tech: Community
Georgia Tech: Societal Georgia Tech Student Body Many students from the South Large international student population STEM-focused institution (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Predominantly male population Regional Influence : Georgia laws Georgia Network (Emory, University of Georgia, Georgia Tech) Community-based organizations National Influence: Campus SaVE/ Title IX White House Task Force and Recommendations
University of Georgia Health Center A division of UGA Student Affairs Michele Passonno, M.S. Ed. Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator
Prevention education – Mandated (Haven/EverFi) – Survivors – Class & campus presentations – Resource card – RSVP website/ Facebook/Twitter – “Bus cards” Individual Level
Crisis intervention Legal advocacy Academic assistance Safety planning Medical services Emotional support Education & outreach (706) 542-SAFE (7233) (706) uhs.uga.edu/rsvp Services are FREE & Confidential
Interns RSVP Peer Educators Watch Dawgs No Shave November (consent) Relationship Level (Interpersonal)
Level I Bystander Intervention Training University Health Center Health Promotion Department
No Shave November
Community Level (University)
Consent is SEXY!
Consent Day 2014
Community Level: SAAM 2014
UGA Student Body: Flagship research-focused institution: (2013 Class Profile) 34,475 total students & 26,215 undergrad (5,150 Freshmen) – Many students from the South (GA); 140 counties in GA 40 different states & territories also represented Business & Environmental Studies Regional Influence: – Georgia laws – Georgia Network (Emory, UGA, Georgia Tech) – Community-based organizations: DV agency (consent education) & rape crisis center National Influence: – Campus SaVE/Title IX – White House Task Force and Recommendations UGA: Societal Level
Padma Ravichandran, MPH Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator Psychological Services and Women’s Resource Center This project was supported by Grant No WA-AX-0008 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. Bucknell University
Speak UP Bucknell First Year Integration Series Presentations to student groups Dating Violence and Stalking Target to upperclassmen Tabling Events Sex Signals Focus on: Knowledge and awareness of sexual violence prevention Positive bystander skill-building Resources How they will take action Individual This project was supported by Grant No WA-AX-0008 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
Speak UP Bucknell Peer Educators Social norming activities Fraternity Ally Training Interpersonal (Relationships) This project was supported by Grant No WA-AX-0008 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
Take Back the Night Clothesline Project NO MORE Campaign Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence policy Department of Justice grant Coordinated Campus Response Team Coalition for Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Community (University) This project was supported by Grant No WA-AX-0008 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
Bucknell University Students mostly from Northeast 3300 undergrad, 200 grad, private liberal arts university Predominantly white, privileged or appear to be Regional Pennsylvania laws Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape Transitions crisis center National Campus SaVE Title IX Department of Justice grant White House Task Force report Society This project was supported by Grant No WA-AX-0008 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
We can use theory to shape the comprehensive sexual violence prevention strategy We can also use theory to shape individual programs or curricula Program/Curriculum Development This project was supported by Grant No WA-AX-0008 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
Integrated Behavioral Model Combines the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Theory of Planned Behavior Intention to perform the behavior is the greatest predictor of actually performing the behavior This project was supported by Grant No WA-AX-0008 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
Integrated Behavioral Model This project was supported by Grant No WA-AX-0008 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. Fishbein, 2000
Integrated Behavioral Model Information on dating violence and stalking Impact of practicing positive bystander behavior in abusive relationships Attitude: favorableness for performing the behavior Data from pilot presentations Convince students that others believe positive bystander behavior is important among peers Perceived Norm: Social pressure to perform or not perform the behavior Provide multiple examples/case studies for students to work through Ideas for ways to intervene based on personality, comfort, etc. Personal Agency: Confidence in performing the behavior and overcoming barriers INTENTION TO PERFORM BEHAVIOR
Integrated Behavioral Model Difficult to control for this construct Help students assess situations and overcome barriers in environment Maintain safety Environment: There are no serious environmental constraints to performing behavior Impact of abusive relationship on victim How positive bystander behavior can prevent further abuse Salience of Behavior: Behavior is important to the individual and at forefront of their thoughts Understand types of dating violence, power and control strategies, honeymoon-tension-abuse cycle Practice positive bystander behavior through case study Knowledge and Skills: Understand the issues and have the skills to perform the behavior Practice positive bystander behavior through case study Brainstorm multiple strategies for intervening Habit: The individual has performed the behavior before and will do it again BEHAVIOR
Why Work Collaboratively? Societal Community Violence is not an isolated issue Brings together multiple perspectives to solve the problem Increased participation and buy-in to achieve our goals Growth and sustainability Share limited resources
Final Thoughts Theory based and evidence informed programs are gold standard in health education Comprehensive prevention plans should be specific to your campus and its needs Collaborations are KEY! – We can’t do this work in silos
QUESTIONS?
ACTIVITY
Thank you! Lee Helmken Health Educator, Sexual Violence Prevention Georgia Institute of Technology Michele Passonno Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator University of Georgia Padma Ravichandran Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator Bucknell University