Intervention programs

Home: Workers: Useful Articles: About RPC

Schools will often request local community agencies to provide specialist anti-violence programs. These programs are directed towards benefitting teaching staff, students, or both. School-based groups for adolescents are utilised for, among others, the provision of education concerning protective behaviours (Gulbin, 1996; Staiger, Wallace & Higgins, 1997), anti-violence strategies (O'Leary, 1996; O'Leary & Pratt, 2001), relationship violence (Friedman, 1999), and primary school to high-school transition (Fuller, Bellhouse, Johnston, & McGraw, 2000).

Intervention programs have been developed within Australia that deal specifically with relationship violence. Examples of these programs include: BRAVE Group for Young Men/RAVE Group for Young Women; Southern Family Life Service Inc. Victoria; Relationship Violence No Way (Friedman 1997); Getting Along: Conflict Resolution in Schools, Berry Street, Victoria; Domestic Violence Education to Secondary School Students, Mallee Domestic Violence Services, Victoria. For a more comprehensive list, see Indermaur, Atkinson and Blagg (1998). Unfortunately, few have been evaluated. Those that show the most promise of effectiveness are based on a social learning approach, provide intensive interventions and attempt to get participants involved in the work (Indermaur, Atkinson, Blagg). Gottfredson (1997) suggests that, generally, effective programs: clarify and communicate behavioural norms, such as school rules and consistent enforcement, with an emphasis on positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviour; and focus on a range of strategies to develop social competency, including development of self-control, decision-making and communication skills.

Group settings provide the opportunity to simulate the wider world, to allow normalisation, shared emotional experiences, and the creation of a sense of belonging and connectedness (Geldard & Geldard, 1999). Research has shown that programs that include these features provide major protective factors for young people at risk of negative behaviours and outcomes (Fuller, McGraw, & Goodyear, 1997; Resnick, Harris, & Blum, 1993). Respect, Protect, Connect, a school-based anti-violence program for young men and women, utilises group settings to work with students in years 7-10 on a number of topics regarding anti-violence strategies. This article outlines the development and implementation of the program within schools throughout the southeastern region of Melbourne.

Sponsor

SECASA

Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 9 Oct 2009