Evaluation of Monash University’s “Course in Recognising and Responding to Sexual Violence”
February 2023
Monash University’s Department of Forensic Medicine offered healthcare professionals and frontline workers trauma-informed, evidence-based accredited training courses on recognising and responding to sexual violence. The course had two streams:
- a three-unit accredited continuing professional development course for healthcare professionals (general practitioners, emergency doctors, medical doctors, nurses, midwives, nurse practitioners)
- a two-unit vocational education and training course for frontline workers (e.g. lawyers, educators, community workers, public servants, aged-care workers).
This evaluation focused on:
- self-reported achievement of learning outcomes, including recognising various forms, drivers and compounding factors of sexual violence; understanding of community impacts of sexual violence; knowledge of barriers to disclosure; and skills in providing culturally appropriate and trauma-informed support
- participants’ and trainers’ views on the training delivery modes
- impact of the training on practice.
Methods
ANROWS led this evaluation in partnership with the Sax Institute. Evaluators used a participatory, mixed-methods approach. Stakeholders provided input into the development of the evaluation plan and data collection instruments, as well as during the data analysis and reporting phases. Stakeholders included Monash University, VET course deliverers (RMIT), and women with lived experience of sexual violence.
The main data sources were:
- participant feedback forms for each course unit
- learning outcomes assessment data collected by VET training providers
- interviews with participants and trainers
- a participant impact survey conducted 8 to 12 weeks after course completion.
Researchers
Project Manager
Dr Peter Ninnes, ANROWS
Research team
Evaluation Advisor: Anne Redman, Sax Institute
Evaluation Advisor: Dr Alice Knight, Sax Institute
Evaluation Advisor: Dr Sallie Newell, Sax Institute
Evaluation Advisor: Dr Shiho Rose, Sax Institute
Project Officer: Dr Tran Nguyen, ANROWS
Project Officer: Alimadad Rasoli, ANROWS
Research Officer: Nina Serova, ANROWS
Research Officer: Rebecca Pollard, ANROWS
Budget
This evaluation is funded by the Department of Social Services through Monash University.