Introduction
Sexual violence on college campuses remains a pressing public health issue, particularly among Greek-affiliated students who are at higher risk. A recent scoping review titled A Scoping Review of Bystander-Based Sexual Violence Prevention Training for College Students in Fraternities and Sororities provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of bystander intervention trainings tailored for this demographic. This blog aims to guide practitioners in enhancing their skills by implementing findings from this research or encouraging further exploration.
Key Findings from the Scoping Review
The review identified 81 unique sources, with 18 meeting the inclusion criteria, revealing 11 specific training programs. Thematic analysis highlighted best practices and barriers in implementing these trainings.
Best Practices for Implementation
- Relatability: Utilizing peer leaders from Greek Life as facilitators enhances training reception. Collaboration with Greek organizations and using real-life scenarios also improve relatability.
- Comfort: Creating a non-judgmental, informal environment and avoiding scare tactics are crucial for participant comfort.
- Engagement: Interactive sessions, engaging speakers, and incentives are vital for maintaining participant interest.
- Content Quality: High-quality, evidence-based content that is easy to understand is essential for effective training.
- Modality: In-person sessions are generally more effective, though online components can broaden reach.
Barriers to Implementation
- Lack of Relatability: Non-Greek facilitators may struggle to connect with participants.
- Discomfort: Large, formal settings and perceived biases in content can alienate participants.
- Lack of Engagement: Without incentives and interactive elements, participant engagement can wane.
- Modality: Short sessions may lack depth, while long sessions can be burdensome.
Implications for Practitioners
Practitioners should focus on tailoring interventions to the unique cultural characteristics of Greek-affiliated students. This includes leveraging peer leaders, ensuring content is relatable and evidence-based, and fostering an engaging, comfortable environment. Addressing these elements can significantly enhance the efficacy of bystander intervention trainings.
Encouraging Further Research
The review highlights the need for more research on tailored interventions for Greek-affiliated students. Practitioners are encouraged to conduct evaluations of their programs to contribute to the growing body of literature and refine best practices.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: A Scoping Review of Bystander-Based Sexual Violence Prevention Training for College Students in Fraternities and Sororities.
