Sexuality and Sexual Violence: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perspectives of Sexuality Educators and Sexual Violence Professionals

Schmidt, Franziska; Christmann, Bernd; Lamour, Mona; Wazlawik, Martin; Dekker, Arne

Abstract

There has been an increase in discussion concerning the integration of sexuality education and the prevention of sexual violence. Furthermore, this is a concern at the level of different pedagogical professions in Germany, since sexuality education and sexual violence prevention have developed as largely separate fields. Both sexuality educators and sexual violence professionals work with a broad target group to prevent sexual violence, including children, young people, as well as parents and professionals working in social work or education. They collaborate at times, but their different pedagogical approaches create conflicts. Based on group discussions with twelve teams specializing in the two fields, this article analyses how their tacitly shared knowledge (collective orientations) underpins their different pedagogical strategies. Therefore, this should be considered to improve their long-term inter-professional cooperation.