Experimentally Testing the Effectiveness of a Campus-based Bystander Intervention

Experimentally Testing the Effectiveness of a Campus-based Bystander Intervention

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a bystander intervention education program on college students' attitudes and behaviors associated with bystander intervention and sexual violence.

This study used a randomized control trial, longitudinal design to determine the impact of a peer education theater intervention on undergraduate student attitudes and behaviors related to sexual violence and bystander intervention. Students were assigned to either an experimental group (receiving 3-4 doses of the intervention ) or a comparison group (receiving 1 dose only) and were surveyed six times over an 18 month period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Incoming first year students in the fall semester of 2010
• Age 18 - 21
• Attended Summer Orientation session

Exclusion Criteria:

• Incoming transfer students
• Younger than 18 or older than 21