Using photovoice to understand and amplify youth voices to prevent sexual and relationship violence

Authors

Victoria Banyard, Rutgers University - New Brunswick/PiscatawayFollow
Katie Edwards, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ramona Herrington, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Skyler Hopfauf, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Briana Simon, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Linda Shroll, Working Against Violence, Inc, Rapid City, SD

ORCID IDs

Victoria Banyard http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9645-5055

Katie Edwards https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1888-7386

Date of this Version

2021

Citation

Published as: Banyard V., Edwards K., Herrington R., Hopfauf S., Simon B., Shroll L. Using photovoice to understand and amplify youth voices to prevent sexual and relationship violence. J. Community Psychol. 2021, 21pp. DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22495

Comments

Copyright © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Used by permission.

Abstract

Aims: Efforts to improve prevention of sexual and relationship violence (SRV) among adolescents call for more centering of youth voices, experiences, and skills to design prevention programs that incorporate youth engagement rather than those that are designed by adults for youth. Amplifying the voices of historically marginalized youth are especially needed. Photovoice (PV) is a participatory action method that can empower youth and generate prevention knowledge.

Methods: The current project used PV to engage youth in late middle and early high school to discuss how they could work to prevent SRV in their community. A convenience sample of nine youth (predominately Native American) participated over seven sessions.

Results: A key theme they generated is that SRV prevention needs to be viewed as relational. Participants described the complexity of prevention, including how youth need social support to thrive and prevent SRV and that asking for help can be challenging. Results also highlighted that youth can provide help and support, but it is not always welcome in addition to underscoring that youth are resilient and can be prevention leaders.

Conclusion: Innovations in SRV prevention, especially for older adolescents, should work to engage youth as prevention partners. Participatory research methods like photovoice can be an important part of that process.