Sexual violence prevention educator training : opportunities and challenges

This chapter will explore a range of factors that impact on the potential effectiveness of diverse personnel in delivering education within the gendered violence prevention field. While research will be drawn from the broader gender violence field, the main focus is on sexual violence. Opportunities and challenges will be explored surrounding issues of who the most suitable personnel to deliver violence prevention education are; approaches to educational training, including adult education principles; the importance of critical reflection on values and ethics by educators; skills in working with small groups; and the importance of evaluation of practice. Lessons learnt from other areas of public health prevention education, such as sexual health, youth violence and drug use, and the possible application of these areas to the prevention of sexual violence, will also be considered. Examples will be drawn from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The discussion of international research on the above areas will be drawn together in the final section of the chapter to suggest strategies for enhancing the training of personnel to deliver anti-violence education in a variety of settings.