College Health Center-based Alcohol and Sexual Violence Intervention

Campus Health Resources Card

Campus Health Safety Card, courtesy of Futures Without Violence

This is a stakeholder-engaged longitudinal study thato tested a brief harm reduction intervention to reduce risk for alcohol-related sexual violence among male and female youth ages 18-24 receiving care from college student health services.

The brief counseling intervention uses a palm-size safety card with information about sexual violence (SV) and harm reduction given to all patients during clinical encounters. GIFTSS (Giving Information for Trauma Support and Safety) provides (a) patient education and assessment regarding SV; (b) discussion of harm reduction behaviors to reduce risk of alcohol-related SV for self and peers (including bystander intervention); and (c) supported referrals to victim services. Interventions effective in reaching more college-age youth who either witness or experience alcohol-related SV are needed. This 2-armed trial randomized 28 college student health centers to receive training in the brief intervention integrated into routine college health visits, or to receive training aim to reduce alcohol consumption among college students.