Changing students' knowledge and attitudes towards intimate partner violence

The need for effective awareness raising interventions for the prevention of intimate partner violence (IPV) has been widely acknowledged, given its frequency among dating relationships. The current intervention study aimed to improve IPV knowledge, attitudes and practices of university students. A pre/post-test design with a control group was employed to compare changes in baseline measures of IPV at post intervention stage. A total of 80 higher education students participated in the study and provided full data; 40 students (intervention group) and 40 students (control group). The awareness raising intervention included: a) a one-day intensive educational seminar, b) reminder and email messages over a 4-week period, and c) demonstration of informational material in public places. Students in the intervention group performed better than those in the control group regarding IPV attitudes (p=.174 and p=.011). No statistically significant improvements were shown in terms of IPV knowledge and self-reported IPV victimization/perpetration. Further studies are necessary to decide on the structure and content of awareness raising interventions that could serve as an IPV prevention measure for young people. Key messages Higher education curricula need to incorporate lessons on intimate partner violence management. Longer, practice-based interventions may have a greater effect in changing students' behaviours towards intimate partner violence.