Evaluating the Alliance against Violence and Adversity Online Training Program: an online curriculum to support children, women, and gender-diverse people.

BACKGROUND

Gender-based violence (GBV) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are Canadian public health concerns and human rights violations that inequitably impact the health of children, women, and gender-diverse people. The Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA) developed an Online Training Platform (AVA Online) to facilitate learning about GBV, ACEs, implementation science, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility for students, academics, and community partners. This study evaluated the first iteration of AVA Online using mixed-method survey data from platform users.

METHODS

AVA Online was designed to be suitable for diverse community and academic audiences, adaptable, scalable, and sustainable. Launched and live from February to December 2024, the following data were collected: (1) AVA Online registrant demographics, (2) module enrolment, and (3) survey feedback on content usefulness, applicability, novelty, and accessibility. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and one-way ANOVAs were used to analyze quantitative data. Qualitative data were examined using a qualitative descriptive conventional content analysis approach.

RESULTS

A total of 74 content feedback responses were obtained. Most users were satisfied with accessibility (81%) and rated content as useful (mean score of 3.23/4), applicable (3.29/4), and novel (3.35/4). Areas for improvement included accessibility, curriculum streamlining, and platform navigation.

CONCLUSION

AVA Online is a feasible cross-sector GBV and ACEs training platform with strong perceived usefulness and applicability, although areas for improvement were identified.