Learners’ viewpoints on the possibilities and limitations imposed by social contexts on online group-based participatory interventions to address violence

摘要

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health concern amongstyoung people. Consequently, prevention efforts in the form ofparticipatory interventions have been implemented, mainly in face-tofacesettings. However, in recent years, there has been a growinginterest to deliver participatory IPV prevention interventions online, andthis has been exacerbated by COVID-19 imposed limitations. Thereremain concerns, however, about the impact social contexts may haveon transformative communication in participatory interventions online.We conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 learners (14–19 years)from Eastern Cape province, South Africa, to understand thepossibilities and limitations that social contexts impose on onlineparticipatory IPV prevention interventions. Access to devices, reliableinternet, and privacy in homes provided opportunities for online IPVprevention interventions, while limited privacy, safety, concentration,and familiarity with some apps online challenged young people’sinterest in online IPV prevention interventions. We also found thatyoung people’s greatest concern was around achieving trust, privacyand safety online. More evidence is needed on how trust, privacy, andsafety, supportive of transformative communication, can be achievedonline. Further, young people are active and strategic in theirengagements online and their potential to generate creative relevantsolutions to address these challenges is highlighted.