Bystander Education Training for Campus Sexual Assault Prevention: An Initial Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The present meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of bystander education programs for preventing sexual assault in college communities. Undergraduates trained in bystander education for sexual assault were expected to report more favorable attitudes, behavioral proclivities, and actual behaviors relative to untrained controls. Data from 12 studies of college students (N = 2,926) were used to calculate 32 effect sizes. Results suggested moderate effects of bystander education on both bystander efficacy and intentions to help others at risk. Smaller but significant effects were observed regarding self-reported bystander helping behaviors, (lower) rape-supportive attitudes, and (lower) rape proclivity, but not perpetration. These results provide initial support for the effectiveness of in-person bystander education training. Nonetheless, future longitudinal research evaluating behavioral outcomes and sexual assault incidence is needed.

Care of the Adolescent After an Acute Sexual Assault

“…144 A recent meta-analysis suggested that bystander approaches show promise in changing bystander attitudes and intervention behaviors, if not actual sexual violence perpetration. 145 Two recent studies on college campuses have reported decreased rates of sexual violence perpetration after implementation of bystander interventions, 146,147 suggesting that these approaches warrant additional attention and evaluation. …”

How Confident are Confidants? Assessing the Sexual Assault-Related Resource Knowledge of College Students

“…It is possible that bystander programming can be expanded to encompass education about campus policy and procedures. Katz and Moore (2013) noted that bystander studies conducted with younger college students had greater effect sizes, although results were not statistically significant. On this basis, they suggested including bystander education in new student orientation programs.…”

“…Participants are educated on prevalence rates, indicators of high-risk situations, and how they, as bystanders, can promote safety" (Katz and Moore, 2013, p. 1,055) by interrupting situations in ways that prevent assaults. In the last decade, bystander programs have proliferated, as well as the development of validated measures for effectiveness that facilitate the comparison of outcomes (Katz and Moore, 2013).…”

“…In a recent meta-analysis of controlled evaluations of 12 bystander programs involving 2,926 students, Katz and Moore (2013) discovered that students who participated in bystander training reported a greater confidence and willingness to intervene, and a greater frequency of doing so. The greatest effect sizes were for bystander efficacya student's "perceived competence in helpfully responding to sexual assault risk" -and intent to help (Katz and Moore, 2013, p. 1,062).…”

Trauma is a public health issue

“…A number of strategies are aimed at reducing the likelihood of trauma exposure in individuals. Alcohol education programmes for young adults, such as those implemented on U.S. college campuses, can reduce high-risk drinking which in turn may reduce exposure to traumatic events like physical and sexual assaults, accidents, or motor vehicle accidents (Katz & Moore, 2013). At the relationship level, there are programmes to strengthen the abilities and sensitivity of family caregivers as well as programmes to prevent bullying in schools.…”