LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, queer) people face disproportionately high rates of sexual and relationship violence (SRV) and often lack access to inclusive prevention education on college campuses. To address this, our research focuses on implementing an LGBTQ+-specific adaptation of the Bringing In The Bystander (BITB) program, which promotes positive bystander intervention that is tailored to LGBTQ+ communities (BITB-LGBTQ+). BITB is the campus SRV bystander intervention with the most empirically replicated support and is used on college and university campuses across the United States and Canada. This project focuses on pilot testing BITB-LGBTQ+, a 100-minute in-person interactive small group educational program for LGBTQ+ college students. Throughout the program, participants will have a chance to elevate and equip themselves with skills that can result in effective and positive action when encountering and witnessing sexual violence and SRV situations. We evaluate the adapted intervention through outcome measures, measures of acceptability and feasibility, and semi-structured interviews. After evaluation through these interviews, we hope to adjust and make improvements to better facilitate the BITB program for future use. This study measure not only highlights the importance of prevention education but also contributes to efforts to reduce disparities in SRV prevention and provide equity and inclusion in educational settings. By adapting and testing the BITB program to address the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ participants, we hope to shift bystander attitudes, knowledge, beliefs, and behavior to create a more safe and supportive campus environment and, in addition, contribute to more inclusive SRV prevention strategies that are evidence-based and inclusive of everyone.
Bringing in The Bystander Program for prevention of sexual violence for LGBTQ+ community on Campus
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Student Abstract Submission