Evaluating an online module for sexual violence prevention in a tertiary educational setting: An exploratory study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Education Technology
• Sociology

Background:

• Sexual violence is a significant public health concern affecting university students globally.
• Online modules are increasingly used for sexual violence prevention and response education.
• Understanding the effectiveness of these online interventions is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an online sexual violence prevention and response education module at an Australian university.
• To assess the module's impact on student knowledge, beliefs, and confidence.
• To gather qualitative feedback on the module's accessibility and perceived effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining pre/post-module surveys and semi-structured interviews.
• Surveys measured changes in beliefs about sexual consent, bystander intervention, and response to disclosures.
• Interviews explored student experiences and perceptions of the online module.

Main Results:

• The module showed potential effectiveness in improving beliefs about sexual consent and bystander intervention confidence.
• Students reported increased willingness to report incidents and confidence in supporting peers who disclose.
• Qualitative data highlighted the module's accessibility, privacy, and self-paced nature as key benefits.

Conclusions:

• Online modules show promise as a component of university-wide sexual violence prevention strategies.
• The effectiveness of online modules is enhanced by interactive, relevant, and applicable content.
• Further research is needed to optimize the development and integration of online modules into comprehensive campus strategies.