Evaluating Bystander Interventions to Reduce Sexual Violence in High Schools

• In Event: Division of Victimology Organized Panel: Advances in Victimology: Sexual Assault Research and Reforms

Abstract

Bystander-based programs have begun to promise to reduce sexual violence in college settings, yet limited rigorous evaluations have addressed bystander intervention effectiveness in high schools. This study evaluated the Green Dot bystander intervention to reduce sexual violence and related forms of interpersonal violence in 26 high schools over 5 years. In this cluster randomized controlled trial, Kentucky high schools were randomized to intervention or control (wait list) conditions. Green Dot–trained educators conducted schoolwide intervention using presentations beginning in Year 1 and recruited student popular opinion leaders to receive bystander training in intervention schools beginning in Year 2. Outcomes of intervention effectiveness were sexual violence victimization and perpetration, and related forms of interpersonal violence. Results demonstrated that school-level sexual violence perpetration and victimization were different over time, with decreases in levels of sexual violence victimization, sexual harassment, stalking, and dating violence perpetration and victimization. Overall, the implementation of Green Dot in Kentucky high schools significantly decreased not only sexual violence perpetration but also other forms of interpersonal violence perpetration and victimization.

Author

• Ann Coker, University of Kentucky