"A Day in the Life” of a Survivor: Experiential Teaching Intimate Partner Violence Online

Overview: Education about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is essential to be included in social work education. Teaching about IPV through an online simulation-based exercise allows for innovative learning within an easily accessible virtual space. This presentation will share the development and implementation of such a virtual scenario based interactive experiential exercise.Proposal text: Education about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) victimization is essential to shift attitudes and responses and prepare future professionals to work effectively with IPV victims, given that many social workers will encounter individuals and families experiencing IPV. Research indicates that students who participate in courses focused on IPV demonstrate several improved outcomes including increased efficacy to screen for IPV, early intervention and more positive attitudes towards victims (Author et al., 2013). For example, Black et al. (2010) found that most of their sample of MSW students viewed the causes of IPV as limited to interpersonal dynamics, without understanding the role of issues like gender, intersectionality and power. While students expressed some victim-blaming attitudes, those students who had received education about the topic expressed fewer.

Case studies indicate that interactive exercises that expose students to the complex nature of IPV are helpful for engaging students and countering the myth that it is simply about making a decision to leave (Coker, 2016). Finding effective ways to teach about IPV in online classes can be especially challenging, particularly identifying ways for students to develop skills to interact with clients (Danis, 2016). Using a case study method, or scenario-based learning, in an online environment is an effective way to engage students using a virtual setting or simulation to develop skills and knowledge. Creating a virtual space to reflect on client scenarios creates space for students to develop appropriate skills to interact with clients, but also to manage their own emotions and feelings about the client’s situation – without doing harm to real clients (Goldingay et al., 2018).

This presentation will discuss the development and implementation of an online exercise and accompanying toolkit that allows students to experience a “day in the life” of a victim of IPV. The exercise has been incorporated into an online MSW class focusing on understanding violence and abuse in adulthood, and will be accessible for other courses and disciplines within the university. Students choose a character to “follow” through a number of daily experiences, allowing them to encounter barriers and challenges from the perspective of a victim. The exercise integrates barriers that have been well-established in the research literature, such as a financial reliance on the abuser; housing and childcare issues; cultural norms about gender roles and marriage; policies that prohibit protection for undocumented immigrants; and poverty and employment. Multiple assignment options are provided for instructors (via a toolkit) to incorporate this activity into the course, including discussion questions, reflection assignments and critical analysis of the issues. Presenters will demonstrate the exercise and share best practices for developing and implementing interactive online exercises for participants to enhance their own programs.

This presentation will highlight the importance of creating engaging and interactive skill-building exercises particularly in online courses. As schools of social work continue to offer online course options this interactive online activity creates space for increasing students’ knowledge of IPV and the multiple factors that impact the choices for an individual experiencing IPV, as well as increase empathy for victims.