Partners in Prevention

Partners in Prevention (PiPs) was a pilot program delivered in 2025, adapting SASS’s evidence-based, trauma-informed CaRE program for university residential settings. PiPs formed a broader national evaluation led by La Trobe University’s Reducing Gender-based Violence (ReGEN) Research Group. SASS was one of nine community partners contributing to this project, which is designed to strengthen the evidence base for what works in the primary and secondary prevention of sexual violence.

Delivered in partnership with University of Tasmania and La Trobe University, the program drew on La Trobe’s Sexual Violence Prevention Theory of Change and was strengthened through collaborative, inclusive co-design. Recognising that universities are not only places of academic learning, but also key social environments that shape young adults’ attitudes, behaviours and relationships, PiPs was designed to embed prevention within the everyday contexts where students live and connect. This approach supported the integration of gender-transformative practice, values-based messaging, and practical skill-building tailored to the tertiary residential experience.

The program focused on addressing the underlying drivers of sexual violence - including power, privilege, and harmful social norms - while supporting students to build the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to navigate relationships and consent in real-world settings. Through facilitated sessions, students engaged in reflection, communication practice, and bystander intervention strategies, contributing to safer and more respectful residential communities.

A central component of the pilot is a robust evaluation, using a longitudinal, mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, focus groups and a cluster randomised controlled trial. This evaluation will provide critical insight into program effectiveness, implementation, and long-term impact.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Australian Department of Social Services, whose funding made this project possible.

Evaluation findings and reports from the PiPs pilot will be published in 2026, supporting continuous improvement of SASS’s prevention work and contributing to sector-wide knowledge.

By bringing together practice, research and partnership, Partners in Prevention represents an important step in embedding prevention within tertiary settings - ensuring that efforts to build safer communities are not only meaningful in the moment, but evidence-informed, measurable and sustainable over time.

Please get in touch with us if you would like to know more about PiPs or if you would like to partner with SASS.

‍Click here to email training@sass.org.au

Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) acknowledges the Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples as the traditional and original custodians of lutruwita. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, recognising that they possess deep knowledge, traditions and culture that can enrich our future. We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and acknowledge the effects of sexual violence through colonisation that continue to cause harm today.
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We acknowledge and extend deep gratitude to Victim-Survivors whose expertise and wisdom guide our path forward in addressing and preventing child sexual abuse. Their insights shape our strategies and responses. Additionally, we honour and remember Victims who are no longer with us. In their memory, we commit to profound and meaningful change