Citation

Exner D, Cummings N. J. Am. Coll. Health 2011; 59(7): 655-657.

Affiliation

Department of Human Development , Cornell University , Ithaca , New York.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2010.515633

PMID

21823961

Abstract

Prosocial bystander interventions are promising approaches to sexual assault prevention on college campuses. Objective: To assess bystander attitudes among undergraduate students at a northeastern university. Participants: A convenience sample of 188 students from 4 undergraduate classes was surveyed during regularly scheduled class sessions. Methods: Participants completed a short survey on bystander efficacy, readiness to change, and barriers to intervention prior to the start of class. Results: The majority of students were not involved in activities or programs focused on sexual assault prevention. Although students agreed that violence could be prevented, they perceived many barriers to their own participation in intervention. Conclusions: There is a need for gender-targeted prevention programming that introduces the idea of prosocial bystander intervention, with a focus on increasing self-efficacy and lowering barriers.

Language: en