Evaluating the Supporting Young People to Understand Affirmative Consent Program

Investigators

Lead by Evaluation and Qualitative Research Unit at the Social Research Centre. Supported by Professor Daryl Higgins Jacqui Stewart and Douglas Russell.

Funding

Victorian Government Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

Aims

To assess the process, outcomes, and value-for-money of a program (consisting of 12 distinct projects) designed to ensure young Victorians understand affirmative consent.

Background

In accordance with the Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Bill 2022, a new affirmative consent model was adopted by the Victorian Government to provide better protections for victim-survivors of sexual assault.

In October 2022, the Victorian Government announced the Supporting Young People to Understand Affirmative Consent Program.

The Program is designed to improve the understanding of the new affirmative consent model among diverse young people (aged 12-25 years).

Project details 

The Social Research Centre, supported by ICPS, is leading an evaluation of the program. The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the process, outcomes, and value-for-money of the overarching program. Elements of the evaluation include:

• assess if the program has achieved the intended objectives and desired outcomes
• identify the components of the program and projects that were most effective
• enhance understandings of the impact of the Victorian Government’s investment in the program.

The evaluation includes a process evaluation, outcomes evaluation, and value for money evaluation. The cost-effectiveness of the Program will be ascertained through assessment of the outputs and outcomes. There are two phases of data collection, both of which involve quantitative (service provider completion of a standardised tool on project design and delivery activities) and qualitative methods (interviews and focus groups) as well as analysis of secondary data collected by program providers.

Projected community impact

The evaluation will contribute to the evidence base on affirmative consent education (i.e., how to best support young people and their key influencers to understand affirmative consent). The Victorian Government will use the findings to inform decision making about scaling up (or replicating) effective projects or specific project components.

Project timeline

May 2023 to November 2024

Contact

For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au