A new study by our associate professor Leon Freude and our researchers Jordi Bonet and Clara Camps Calvet examines the effectiveness of short training programs on Digital Gender-Based Violence (DGBV) in higher education. The research evaluates knowledge acquisition and skill development among 190 university students while considering differences based on gender and sexual orientation.
Using a multimethod approach, the study measures learning outcomes through pre- and post-training surveys, observations, and student reflections. Results show that short DGBV training programs significantly improve students’ understanding of the issue, with LGB+ students demonstrating higher prior awareness and benefiting the most from the sessions. Interestingly, the study finds no significant gender differences in training effectiveness, challenging assumptions that women would score higher due to their greater exposure to DGBV.
These findings highlight the importance of universalist training programs that include all students, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The study calls for further research with larger samples and emphasizes the need for structural and interactive approaches to DGBV education.
The results have key policy implications for universities and institutional actors, reinforcing the need for structured training initiatives to equip students with the skills to prevent, respond to, and counteract DGBV.
Discover more about the UB School of Sociology’s research! Explore the full list of our researchers and their latest research here.
