Abstract
Sexual violence prevention programmes can be effective in minimising sexual harm in tertiary institutions, particularly when the programmes reflect the culture and context of their community. In this paper, we report on a qualitative evaluation of a sexual violence prevention programme developed using Indigenous Pacific epistemologies and implemented at a university in Aotearoa New Zealand. Programme participants completed pre- and post-workshop questionnaires which were analysed to assess: firstly, what they understood about and wanted from relationships with peers in their residential college; and secondly, whether their learnings aligned with the programme's learning outcomes. Overall, participants agreed that they wanted kindness, respect, trust, and inclusion from peer relationships within their residential college. Throughout the programme, participants demonstrated improved understandings of interpersonal relationships, increased knowledge of consent and sexual harm, and evidence of community building. These findings align with the intended learning outcomes of this programme. A sexual violence prevention programme founded on values of community and connection can be an impactful medium for discussing sexual topics that are tapu (sacred, forbidden) and culturally sensitive in a multi-ethnic context such as Aotearoa New Zealand.