Teaching About Sexualized Violence in Educational and Clinical Institutions

Introduction Sexualized violence is still a rather avoided topic in teaching at German universities, even though a remarkable proportion of the German population experienced child sexual abuse, including many in institutional settings (e.g., schools, clubs of leisure activities). This study examines the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary university curriculum about sexualized violence in educational and clinical institutions. Methods Students participated in seminars about sexualized violence, sexual socialization and education, and professionalism and ethics. In 2017/2018, n = 156 students assessed the curriculum before, immediately after and/or 6 months after participating. The assessment covers knowledge about and confidence in handling issues of sexualized violence and attitudes toward sex-related myths. The same questionnaires were used in a control group ( n = 54). Results In the curriculum group, self-assessed and declarative knowledge improved, the students were more confident in their abilities to handle issues of sexualized violence in a professional way, and sex-related myths were rejected even more strongly after the curriculum. Conclusion The findings suggest that awareness and knowledge about sexualized violence in institutions can be increased and sustained through the use of the curriculum “Sexualized Violence in Institutions.” These encouraging results suggest that the curriculum should be taught in pedagogical and clinical disciplines at more universities. Policy Implications In view of the decentralized education system in Germany and the freedom of research and teaching at German universities, the curriculum can only be implemented on a voluntary basis. However, in terms of education policy, such an implementation could be supported by state-funded programs that provide lecturers both with necessary qualifications and necessary resources

Criminology · Curriculum · German · Medical education · Pedagogy · Poison control · Population · Sexual abuse · Sexual violence · Social science · Socialization · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies

• Mapping Evaluated University Primary Prevention Interventions Against a Whole-of-University Framework

  Open Access•Jessica Ison, Fiona C Giles et al.•Trauma Violence & Abuse•2026

  Incluir item

• Interprofessional Education in Child Protection for Preservice Health and Allied Health Professionals

  Open Access•Lauren Elizabeth Lines, Tracy Alexis Kakyo et al.•Trauma Violence & Abuse•2024

  Incluir item

• The current prevalence of child sexual abuse worldwide

  Open Access•J Barth, L Bermetz et al.•International Journal of Public…•2013

  Incluir item

• Child sexual abuse in religiously affiliated and secular institutions

  Open Access•Nina Spröber, Thekla Schneider et al.•BMC Public Health•2014

  Incluir item

• The acceptance of modern myths about sexual aggression scale

  Open Access•Heike Gerger, Hanna Kley et al.•Aggressive Behavior•2007

  Incluir item