FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ATTITUDES, BELIEFS, AND BEHAVIORS OF STUDENTS TOWARD SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE

Abstract

Social workers will inevitably encounter survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault in their work. In this study we explore how education, training, and personal or professional experiences influence students' attitudes, beliefs, and behavior toward survivors. Results indicate that education and/or training decreases students' blaming attitudes and beliefs supportive of myths and increases their screening behavior. Additionally, professional experience and indirect personal experience was found to predict screening behavior, whereas direct personal experience did not show any significance. These results provide much needed information for schools to better prepare students to work with survivors of violence.