It takes a village: Community Engaged University of Guelph Research on Campus Sexual Violence Training, Referral and Collaboration

Date

2018-05-09

Authors

Hotchkiss, Lauren

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Volume Title

Publisher

University of Guelph

Abstract

This community engaged research (CEnR) uses a feminist perspective to examine level one of the University of Guelph’s new Sexual Violence Referral and Support Training. Based on in-depth, qualitative interviews, this research explores the extent to which the online training prepares University faculty and staff with the knowledge to properly respond to a disclosure of sexual violence and refer survivors to appropriate support options, both on and off campus. This study also seeks to understand how University staff make decisions about referring student survivors, while also examining the relationships between staff at the University of Guelph and staff in local off-campus, community-based organizations. Findings indicate a need for increased faculty and staff training in the area of sexual violence. Findings also suggest a need for increased collaboration between University staff and with staff in off campus organizations in the Guelph-Wellington area. This research is relevant given the prevalence of sexual violence on Canadian college and university campuses, the Ontario Government’s recent call for increased campus safety, and University of Guelph’s new online sexual violence training program.

Description

Keywords

sexual violence, sexual assault, university, campus, faculty, staff, service provider, training, referral, relationship, collaboration, community engaged research (CEnR), community university partnership, support, resources, feminist, hegemonic masculinity

Citation