Objective: One strategy to address the health issues among college students is through bystander intervention. However, much is still unknown about bystander behavior. The purpose of the current study was to assess the feasibility of daily diary methodology as applied to bystander opportunity. Method: Using a convenience sample, we examined (1)…

This paper explores the issue of harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) presented by young people, advocating a preventative approach through an increased focus on primary education. The definition of HSB, contributing factors and recent prevalence among young people is discussed. Much of the research and policies explored relate directly to England and…

To address sexual assault on college campuses, many universities have adopted affirmative consent. Despite the adoption of these policies, there has been little research understanding the nuances of sexual consent. Drawing from sexual script theory, this study uses qualitative methodology to explore how college students understand sexual consent.…

This study examined the roles and lived experiences of SCAs engaged in addressing incidents of campus sexual misconduct at public postsecondary institutions in New York State. The primary research question guiding this study was: What are the roles and lived experiences of SCAs as they manage campus sexual misconduct processes? The secondary…

Health messaging can be a successful tool in encouraging pro-social behavior, such as bystander intervention in sexual violence situations. This dissertation explored the development of a social media message to encourage bystander intervention among college students using multiple theoretical frameworks: social norms approach and bystander…

Objective: Misperception of sexual intent is linked to incidence of sexual assault. The present study tested the effects of gender, alcohol consumption, and leaving a party together, in isolation and in interaction, on perceptions of sexual intent. Participants: Undergraduates (N = 438) completed an online survey between Winter 2017 and Winter…

Bystander intervention has received increased attention as a potential sexual violence prevention strategy, primarily to address campus sexual assault (McMahon et al., 2017). Shifting the focus from potential victims and perpetrators, the bystander approach engages all members of a campus community to act by increasing positive attitudes and…

Objective: Undergraduate women are more likely to comply with unwanted sexual behavior if they have experienced sexual coercion from their partner. We investigated whether the severity and frequency of sexual coercion was associated with sexual compliance. Participants: A sample of 195 female university students in committed relationships.…

The viral #MeToo movement of recent years eventually moved from adult celebrities to harassment in K-12 schools. While many may think of sexual activity and/or harassment beginning in high school, the truth is that many middle school students engage in these behaviors as well. Adolescents have a natural curiosity about their bodies and burgeoning…

The present study aimed to determine whether greater levels of mobile connectivity, such as that afforded by campus safety apps, are associated with lower levels of bystander intervention into campus sexual assault incidents. We employed an experimental vignette design with a sample of college students to determine whether greater levels of mobile…

Objective: This study examined whether the use of party-safety strategies weakens the association between frequency of party attendance and sexual victimization among first-year female college students. Participants: First-year female college students (n = 450) from three universities in the United States participated in this study. Methods:…

Universities have attempted to address sexual violence on campuses through various prevention programs, including bystander intervention. Unfortunately, the extant literature on bystander intervention has primarily focused on bystander characteristics. Little is known about how situational characteristics affect the likelihood of intervening…

Humane Acts Bystander Intervention Training curriculum (HABIT) aims to reach students less inclined to learn from liberal and more-feminist education offered in current curricula. Using moral foundations theory to encourage bystander intervention in potential sexual assault situations, the authors taught and assessed 137 diverse students within an…

Objective: Sexual and dating violence (SV/DV) on college campuses is a pervasive problem with far-reaching implications for public health. This paper describes the development and evaluation of a widely disseminated SV/DV primary prevention program, the Red Flag Campaign (RFC). Participants and Methods: An online survey was administered to 203…

Sexual violence (SV) is a global public health crisis of pandemic proportions. Sexual harassment (SH) and violence are pervasive on college campuses, negatively impacting students, faculty, and staff. To address this, U.S. universities are required by federal law to implement EBP programs to foster awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and…