Dedicating to ending sexual violence on campus
PROGRAMS & TOOLS
PREVENTION
PROGRAMMING MATRIX
Agent of Change
Agent of Change is an online program in which players engage with animated characters in scenarios reflecting realistic situations in which students are be confronted with opportunities to challenge the attitudes and behaviors that support and facilitate violence. As the narrative advances, the scenarios are responsive to players’ reactions.
| Program Name | Level of Evidence | Format | Target Audience | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Agent of Change
|
Promising Direction |
|
|
Video game-style design |
Learning Objectives
This program aims to:
- improve students’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors surrounding sexual violence
- connect students’ daily behaviors and experiences to the causes of and solutions to violence
- give students a platform to practice bystander intervention in a virtual setting
Methods
Players participate in conversations with animated characters about sexual assault, relationship violence, sexual harassment and stalking. During conversations, the students make choices about what to say and how to respond to other characters. As the students make their choices, the digital characters respond by supporting, modeling and challenging the player. This system allows players to learn, develop and practice the skills needed to prevent violence before it happens. Topics covered include: victim-blaming, gender and racial stereotypes, the connection between race and sexual violence, alcohol and sexual assault, consent, gender norms, survivor support, street harassment, reporting to law enforcement, abusive relationships, stalking, sexual harassment, masculinity norms and bystander skills.
Dosage
10 scenarios, each 3-5 minutes in length
Logistics
Students can navigate their way through the 10 scenarios at their own pace. Closed captioning is available.
Population Served
Undergraduate students
Theoretical Basis For Approach
Agent of Change was developed using the following: myth acceptance, norms challenging, motivational interviewing, feminist theory, social norms theory, counter intuitive behavior, and bystander intervention.
Program Effectiveness
We End Violence has conducted two self-published evaluations of Agent of Change, in 2013 and 2015. The evaluation studies report statistically significant increases for all five assessment measures: knowledge about sexual violence, critical thinking about cultural supports of violence, bystander intervention skills and behavior, survivor support skills, and behavioral intent. There was no comparison group used in the evaluation study.
PARTICIPATING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Agent of Change has been used by more than 75,000 students at 30 campuses. Current campuses include:
- Brown University
- Clark University
- Colby Community College
- Evergreen State College
- Front Range Community College
- Northwestern University
- Southwestern Community College.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR ADMINIsTRATORS
Agent of Change is a strong program whose theory-based elements are well-executed: it keeps students engaged by asking their opinions about the scenarios and it covers a wide range of issues. It is also unique in the way it confronts the intersection of sexual violence and racism.
HOW TO ACCESS THIS PROGRAM
For pricing information, contact Carol Mosley at carol@weendviolence.com. A preview of the program is available on the website.