Graduation Year

2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.P.H.

Degree Name

MS in Public Health (M.S.P.H.)

Degree Granting Department

Public Health

Major Professor

Dinorah Martinez Tyson, Ph.D., MPH, MA

Committee Member

Anna Torrens Armstrong, Ph.D., MPH, CPH, MCHES

Committee Member

Ellen Daley, Ph.D.

Keywords

college, gender-based violence, health education, institutions of higher education, student affairs, university

Abstract

1 in 5 women in institutions of higher education experience an attempted or completed sexual assault every year. Sexual and interpersonal violence prevention programming is one of the main ways colleges and universities attempt to address this issue. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative pilot study is to evaluate the development and implementation of campus-based sexual and interpersonal violence prevention programming, looking specifically at facilitators and barriers for prevention staff, what they experience as preventionists, and how COVID-19 has impacted these essential programs. Ten preventionists were recruited from the Campus Advocacy and Prevention Professionals Association for 90-minute interviews. Results of the thematic analysis indicate that participants felt resources, administrative bureaucracy, and institutional buy in were important facilitators if they were accessible and barriers if they were not. Participants experiences with respect from faculty and upper administration varied depending on their job title and more than half of participants had personal experiences with sexual and interpersonal violence prior to their career in prevention. However, all participants felt confident in their ability to do their job well despite any barriers they may experience. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted existing resource and budgetary issues that existed within their offices and increased stress about furloughs and budget cuts. The results of this study create a strong foundation for future research into best practices for the development and implementation of campus-based prevention programming. Additionally, the results of this study demonstrate the importance of including prevention staff when developing campus, state, and federal policies on sexual and interpersonal violence.

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