What does it mean to be and feel safe?
In 2019, the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) created the Youth-Centered Environmental Shift (YES!) program.
The program was designed to provide community-level strategies for preventing sexual violence among middle school students. The Northwest Center for Public Health Practice (NWCPHP) collaborated with the CDC and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to evaluate the YES! program. The evaluation focused on creating learning environments where students are emotionally and physically safe, supported, and free of abuse, specifically sexual violence.
NWCPHP’s research team was led by Dr. Fred Rivara, Dr. Betty Bekemeier, and Dr. Avanti Adhia. Lauri Dils and Nikki Van Wagner were research members from OSPI. The program pilot and evaluation were intended to begin in 2020, but the timeline and breadth were significantly altered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“While it was clear to many that schools needed to address sexual violence, many teachers and administrators didn’t have the knowledge to draw from, and some weren’t confident about the best ways to address it,” said Megan Rogers, MS, one of the investigators involved in NWCPHP’s research.
One component of the YES! program was Hot Spot Mapping. “With Hot Spot Mapping, we’re trying to empower students to analyze their school environments and report problem areas,” explained Nikki Van Wagner. “It’s crucial to develop interventions based on the voices and needs of students, and we believe this process can identify problems and initiate changes that are relevant and impactful for students.
The team also interviewed 31 LGBTQ+ students in Thurston County. LGBTQ+ students experience higher rates of sexual violence than their peers. These students had many insightful recommendations to promote safety and reduce sexual violence.
“As a result of these interviews and activities, we now have a better understanding of students’ perspectives and concerns around sexual violence in schools,” Megan explained. “We’ve shared their input with districts across the state, and OSPI has begun providing additional education and training for staff and educators. Efforts are also underway to make electronic versions of Hot Spot Mapping available, so students’ concerns can be reported and addressed in a timely and accessible manner.”
“We’ve learned a lot about the concerns that schools and parents have about addressing sexual violence, and that will continue to inform our ongoing efforts. This study has taught us how to better work with school districts and communities across the state to reduce sexual violence.”
Informed by NWCPHP’s evaluation, the YES! program continues to work in educational institutions across the state. “We’re going to keep developing tools, trainings, and resources to reduce incidences of sexual violence,” Megan said. “Our goal is to make all students feel safe and protected at school.”
