Evaluation of a social media campaign for the prevention of intimate partner violence
Abstract
A digital social media prevention campaign in Germany aimed to raise awareness of intimate partner violence (IPV) among adolescents and young adults. Video podcasts featured IPV victims sharing their experiences alongside expert commentary, highlighting warning signs and offering advice on physical and psychological abuse. Short clips were evaluated to assess their impact on IPV-related knowledge, attitudes, and intentions to act. A randomized experimental survey was conducted with two waves (wave 1: N = 1,973; wave 2: N = 772). Causal effects were estimated by comparing latent variable means between the control and experimental groups, and by examining changes over time using a latent difference-in-differences approach. In some groups, watching the videos improved knowledge of psychological IPV and increased intentions to seek help or contact police. Partial attitudinal shifts occurred between waves. Targeted IPV video interventions that deliver key messages both verbally and visually can have moderate short-term effects on knowledge and intentions, with delayed impacts on attitudes.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Intimate Partner and Family Violence
Bullying
Victimization
and Aggression
Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Experimental Criminology
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Publication date
- 3 January 2026
- Language
- EN