Implementing a whole-school relationships and sex education intervention to prevent dating and relationship violence: evidence from a pilot trial in English secondary schools

Meiksin, R. et al. (2020) Implementing a whole-school relationships and sex education intervention to prevent dating and relationship violence: evidence from a pilot trial in English secondary schools. Sex Education, 20(6), pp. 658-674. (doi: 10.1080/14681811.2020.1729718)

Abstract

Adolescent dating and relationship violence is associated with health harms and is an important topic for sex education. School-based interventions addressing this have been effective in the USA, but schools in England confront pressures that might hinder implementation. We assessed the feasibility of, and contextual enablers/barriers to implementing Project Respect, a whole-school intervention. We conducted a pilot trial with process evaluation in six English secondary schools. Intervention comprised: training; policy-review; mapping and patrolling ‘hotspots’; parent information; help-seeking app; and a curriculum (including student-led campaigns) targeting dating violence. Process evaluation included assessments of fidelity and interviews with the trainer and school staff. Schools delivered training and lessons partially or completely and made parent and app information available. Two schools conducted policy reviews; none patrolled hotspots or implemented campaigns. Implementation was strengthened where staff saw dating violence as a priority. Delivery was undermined where staff were insufficiently involved, lacked time for planning or struggled to timetable lessons, and where new school challenges undermined engagement. School-based health interventions must work to build staff buy-in and ensure they do not overburden schools. Dating and relationship violence might best be addressed in this context as a broader aspect of sex education.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research Programme (PHR 15/03/09).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sweeting, Dr Helen
• Authors: Meiksin, R., Campbell, R., Crichton, J., Morgan, G. S., Williams, P., Wilmott, M., Tilouche, N., Ponsford, R., Barter, C. A., Sweeting, H., Taylor, B., Young, H., Melendez-Torres, G.J., McNaughton Reyes, H. L., and Bonell, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Sex Education
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1468-1811
• ISSN (Online): 1472-0825
• Published Online: 10 March 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Sex Education 20(6): 658-674
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
72764	1	Understanding and Improving Health within Settings and Organisations	Kathryn Hunt	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_UU_12017/12	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
72764	1	Understanding and Improving Health within Settings and Organisations	Kathryn Hunt	Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)	SPHSU12	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit