Peer-Led Empowerment: A Pathway to Preventing Gender-Based Violence

SESSION OVERVIEW

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive issue among Australian Higher Education Institutions. Despite ongoing efforts to address and prevent GBV, the prevalence of such incidents underpins the urgent need for comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that engage the entire campus student community. It is more important now, more than ever, to illuminate
the pathways to prevention of GBV through the empowerment of student-led initiatives.

This presentation by Monash University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team will offer an in-depth look at our peer-led approach to design and delivery of our renowned ‘Eliminating Gender Based Violence Together’ (EGBVT) training delivered to students, by students.

Since the inception of EGBVT in 2018, this mandatory training for student leaders has engaged over 3661 students, totalling on average 800 student leaders per year in evidence-based tools and strategies to contribute to a safe, respectful and equal campus culture. Today, this training has become a core educational program and one of the first steps towards educating our student community in the prevention of Gender Based Violence.

At Monash we understand the importance of creating and designing programs and training that are appropriate, relevant and reliable hence why we adopt a peer led approach. This presentation will outline the processes involved in engaging students in the design and delivery of EGBVT, while also showcasing data-rich evaluation results that demonstrate increased student empowerment and confidence to drive change within their community. Presenters will also discuss how student involvement enables the development of learning materials that are tangible to the diversity of
students found on university campuses.

Session Outcomes

Knowledge

At the end of this presentation, the audience should know:

● What are the elements of a successful student-led program and its impact on campus culture

● The role of peer-led initiatives in driving meaningful and lasting cultural change

● Practical steps for initiating and developing a peer-led program within your organisation

Skills

At the end of this presentation, the audience should be able to:

● Describe what is peer led education

● Detail the benefits of involving students in education program design and delivery.

● Articulate the link between student confidence and self efficacy as an outcome of a student led program

Attitudes

At the end of this presentation, the audience should:

● Have enhanced confidence in their ability to create peer led education program(s) in their organisation

PRESENTERS

Renee Heckman and Natasha Bucker are Community Engagement Coordinators in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Department at Monash University.