Engaging Intercollegiate Athletes in Preventing and Intervening in Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence

TLDR

The study evaluated the “Bringing in the Bystander” sexual and intimate partner violence prevention program among intercollegiate athletes. Fifty‑three athletes in the experimental group and 86 in the control group completed pretest, posttest, and 2‑month follow‑up surveys measuring rape‑myth acceptance, bystander intent, confidence, and behaviors. The program increased bystander confidence and intent to intervene without causing backlash, supporting its alignment with NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills and the 2007 ACHA toolkit.

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The object of this exploratory evaluation was to evaluate the "Bringing in the Bystander" sexual and intimate partner violence prevention program with a new sample of intercollegiate athletes. Participants and Methods: Fifty-three male and female athletes participated in the program (experimental group), and 86 were in the control group. All completed pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow-up surveys, including assessment of rape myth acceptance, intent to engage in bystander behaviors, bystander confidence, and bystander behaviors. Results: The program worked overall and for both women and men, improved bystander confidence and intent to engage in bystander behaviors, and did not create significant backlash effects (ie, worsening of attitudes as a result of program). Conclusions: The program fits with the intent of the National Collegiate Athletic Association CHAMPS/Life Skills program regarding its focus on the overall development of student-athletes and demonstrates the promising bystander approach compatible with the 2007 American College Health Association toolkit, Shifting the Paradigm: Primary Prevention of Sexual Violence.