Peer-led education and advocacy workshops preventing sexual violence and promoting sexual wellbeing in tertiary learning communities.

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What it is

The College Program is a series of education and advocacy workshops for tertiary students in residential halls which aim to prevent sexual violence and promote sexual wellbeing. The College Program is underpinned by The STOP Campaign’s core values of intersectionality, destigmatisation, and the importance of lived experience and peer facilitation to effectively engage students and build safer communities.

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Key Objectives

The key objectives of the College Program are to:

• Facilitate safe and open discussions about sex and sexual violence, including the behaviours, institutional structures and cultural norms that drive sexual violence.

• Equip participants with skills and strategies to respond to sexual violence in their communities, promote ethical sexual relationships and engage in activism and advocacy after program completion.

• Provide evidence-informed and trauma-informed educational resources on sexual violence, sexual wellbeing and relevant support services.

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Program Structure

Each session begins with an outline of the prevalence and sociocultural drivers of sexual violence in Australia, and common myths and stigmas surrounding sexual violence and wellbeing. This is followed by the module/s chosen by residential halls. Each session concludes with a debrief on how participants can care for themselves, support their communities and seek professional assistance. 

The content and structure of sessions can be amended depending on whether participants are student leaders or members of the broader residential hall community.

Optional Modules

The optional modules of the College Program provide a comprehensive overview of topics relating to sex and sexual violence, with a specific focus on topics that are important to young people within the community. The purpose of these modules are to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address sexual violence within college communities and to ultimately change the narrative of sexual violence in this setting

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1 - Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence (Victim-Survivors)

Participants will practise how to safely respond to disclosures of sexual violence from victim-survivors, including how and when to refer victim-survivors to appropriate support services.

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2 - Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence (Alleged Perpetrators)

Participants will practise how to safely respond to disclosures from people who may have perpetrated sexual violence and discuss the importance of accountability and recognition of harm caused.

3 - Ethical Sex and Consent

Participants will discuss the principles of ethical sex and consent including key legislative frameworks, affirmative consent principles and the gendered context of sexual violence and consent.

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4 - Sex Positivity and Wellbeing

Participants will learn how sexual health and wellbeing are essential to preventing sexual violence, eliminating harmful stigmas and creating safer communities.

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5 - Being an Upstander

Participants will practise how to be a safe and effective upstander against sexual violence (rather than a passive bystander), learn how to recognise the drivers of sexual violence and harmful behaviour and discuss strategies for intervention and support.

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6 - Being the Change: The Power of Collective Activism

Participants will discuss activism and advocacy movements and practices, explore how sexual violence prevention is everyone's responsibility, recognise how collective action is essential to long-lasting change and be equipped with the tools and networks to engage in activism in their communities.

Get involved

Contact The STOP Campaign by emailing general@thestopcampaign.org.au to learn more.