TeachXEvidence
Project dedicated to making schools safer and more inclusive by implementing educational interventions based on scientific evidence to prevent gender-based violence.
The context of the project
According to the needs analysis registered in the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, 33% of women in the EU have experienced physical and/or sexual violence and 55% of women have been sexually harassed
Schools are a key setting for the primary prevention of gender-based violence, as they provide an opportunity to influence social norms and behaviours from an early age. However, educational interventions are not achieving the desired social changes. This is often because they fail to align with the scientific consensus on the most effective actions, which have shown measurable and lasting success in preventing gender-based violence in schools in different contexts
Why is gender-based
violence a problem?
Research shows that, although teachers spend the most time with children, many are not adequately prepared to prevent or detect gender-based violence (GBV) in schools
In many cases, education programs are based on popular beliefs and misconceptions rather than solid evidence, which makes it harder to address GBV effectively. TeachXEvidence aims to overcome the difficulties teachers face, giving them the tools to distinguish between myths and facts about GBV prevention
Objectives
Strengthen the capacity of educators by equipping teachers with the skills to differentiate between scientific evidence and misinformation. This will help integrate evidence-based interventions with a social impact, specifically aimed at preventing gender-based violence in schools.
Foster a European network of researchers and practitioners who collaborate to co-create educational interventions grounded in scientific evidence, with a focus on generating positive social impact.
Transform attitudes in primary and secondary schools through upstander interventions that not only support victims but also protect those who advocate for them, promoting new models of masculinity, grounded in the best scientific evidence, which have already demonstrated lasting success in preventing gender-based violence across various contexts.
Drive a European movement to disseminate the best scientific knowledge on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention to schools and their communities, influencing both educational practices and policy development.
Target
TeachXevidence focuses on two main target groups:
The primary group consists of primary and secondary school teachers in the participating schools
The secondary group includes primary and secondary school students across European schools, as well as their families
Methodology
TeachXEvidence uses a Communicative Methodology (Gomez, Puigvert & Flecha, 2011), a proven approach that has shown significant impact in reducing social inequalities and improving the lives of vulnerable populations. Significant European research initiatives, including INCLUD-ED (6th Framework Programme), IMPACT-EV (7th Framework Programme), and SALEACOM (H2020), have been developed within this framework, resulting in substantial scientific, political, and social impact
This method has been successfully used in research that incorporates gender perspectives, especially in the study of gender-based violence
The communicative methodology has two key features:
Focus on social impact: It aims for measurable, sustainable, and transferable improvements. In this case, it seeks to shift teachers’ practices toward evidence-based education and change students’ attitudes on masculinity and support for victims and their defenders
Co-creation: Knowledge is developed through equal dialogue between researchers and participants. This approach will be used to co-create teacher training seminars and educational resources with input from both researchers and practitioners in schools
What is the expected
impact of the project?
Equip primary and secondary school teachers with the skills to distinguish between opinions and scientific evidence with social impact, ensuring that evidence-based practices become the foundation of their educational approaches.
Empower students to implement evidence-based strategies that not only support victims through bystander interventions but also protect those who defend them.
Prepare students to stand up for victims beyond the school environment, without fear of retaliation, by fostering an understanding of the importance of protecting those who advocate for victims. This approach is key to breaking the isolation often associated with gender-based violence (GBV) and is essential to overcoming it.
Create safe, violence-free spaces where students can freely choose the healthy relationships.
Encourage policymakers and school leaders to develop policies and protocols informed by insights from the TeachXevidence community, focusing on the most effective actions to prevent and address GBV in schools.
Provide ongoing professional development for teachers via the TeachXevidence platform, which facilitates the co-creation of evidence-based GBV prevention resources through research and peer-to-peer collaboration, ensuring sustained impact beyond the project’s funding period.
