In-School Evaluation of Bystander: A Game-Based Intervention for Sexual Violence Prevention

Overview

The investigators have developed a game-based sexual violence prevention program that uses a bystander intervention approach. This program is called Bystander and was designed for use with high school students in grades 9-12. The goal of this research is to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of Bystander when implemented in a school setting. The research will capture data on knowledge about sexual violence and harassment, as well as attitudes, self-efficacy, perceived social norms and behavioral intentions around bystander behaviors. This research will consist of a baseline survey, program participation, a immediate post-program survey, and a 3-month follow up survey with youth participants. It will also involve qualitative in-depth interviews with school staff and administration about the program.

Using the investigators' experience in game-based learning, digital media, behavior theory, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health, the investigators have developed a digital game-based sexual violence prevention program-Bystander-to be used with high school students to teach them about prosocial bystander behaviors and decrease acceptance of common rape myths. The goal of this research is to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of Bystander when implemented in a school setting. This study will evaluate Bystander, a four-module intervention program. Each module is designed to last one school class period. It includes 20 minutes of individual gameplay through an interactive narrative featuring prosocial bystander behaviors and discussions dispelling rape myths. Each module also includes facilitated class discussion about the topics covered that day. The research team will conduct a pre/post efficacy and feasibility study that will capture data through a pre-, immediate post-, and 3-month follow up survey on knowledge about sexual violence and harassment, as well as attitudes, self-efficacy, perceived social norms and behavioral intentions around bystander behaviors (all measured at pre-, immediate post- and follow-up time points). It will also capture demographic information and previous bystander behaviors at baseline. It will finally involve qualitative in-depth interviews with school staff and administration about the program.