NCJ Number
225408
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2009 Pages: 106-121
Date Published
January 2009
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effectiveness of a poster campaign intended to increase college students’ knowledge and behaviors related to prosocial bystander interventions to prevent sexual violence against women on campus.
Abstract
The study found that the poster campaign was an important tool in raising awareness of sexual violence on the college campus, but advises that it should be only one tool in a comprehensive effort to reduce sexual violence on college campuses. Participants who reported seeing the posters showed greater awareness of the problem and a greater willingness to participate in actions aimed at reducing sexual violence compared to students who did not report seeing the posters on campus. There was also some evidence of “dose” effect that resulted from increased exposure to the posters. The campaign consisted of the display of four posters that portrayed typical campus scenarios and the modeling of preventive bystander behaviors. One of the posters shows a young man forcing a young woman up against the desk in her dorm room as she protests that he is hurting her. Outside the room, two dorm residents prepare to intervene. Another poster features a triptych of friends listening to and caring for friends who have experienced sexual violence. All four posters feature the campaign theme, “Know your power. Step in, Speak up. You can make a difference.” Further, they provide advice about what to do in a situation similar to the one depicted in the poster. A total of 372 undergraduate students completed an online survey (62 percent female). Participants answered questions on bystander behaviors and views on the extent of violence against women on campus. They were then shown photos of the four posters and asked whether they had seen them on campus. 2 tables and 35 references