The Erin Levitas Initiative PhotoVoice Research Study

The Erin Levitas Initiative PhotoVoice Research Study is a collaborative project of the University of Maryland Baltimore’s School of Social Work and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, the Erin Levitas Foundation, and HeartSmiles, a grassroots youth-serving organization in Baltimore, Maryland. Funded by the State of Maryland General Assembly, the study includes the perspectives of youth ages 13 – 17 who share their experiences related to sexual violence prevention and healthy relationships through images using a qualitative research method called PhotoVoice to inform and infuse youth voice into the ERIN Talk sexual violence prevention initiative. 

Primary Investigators

Laurie Graham Headshot

Laurie Graham, MSW
Assistant Professor

Theda Rose Headshot

Theda Rose, PhD, MSW 
Associate Professor

Quince Hopkins

Quince Hopkins, JD, LLM, JSD
Director of the Erin Levitas Initiative

Study Goals

This community-engaged research study explores how middle and high school-aged youth define, perceive, and experience key concepts related to adolescent sexual violence prevention, boundaries, consent, and social connections.  Objectives include: 
  • Understanding concepts from the perspectives of youth, using a qualitative research method called photovoice and focus groups.  
  • Informing and potentially reshaping existing youth sexual violence prevention and healthy relationships programs, including directly informing an existing sexual violence prevention program called ERIN Talk. 
  • Hosting a curated gallery exhibit of the participants’ photography used to share key themes from youth study participants’ overall perspectives with the academic and local community.  
  • Preliminary exploration of outcomes that may be associated with participation in photovoice using brief pre- and post-surveys comprised of pre-existing, validated scales. 
  • Engaging young adults as prevention researchers and youth as partners informing the development of prevention program content and research reports addressing adolescent sexual violence prevention. 

Community Partners

Heartsmiles logoHeartSmiles

HeartSmiles serves Baltimore youth by addressing systemic barriers and empowering young people to realize their full potential. Rooted in the values of leadership, mentorship, and community support, HeartSmiles began as a grassroots initiative to provide safe spaces for youth to grow academically, socially, and emotionally and to build their capacity as leaders and entrepreneurs.

The Erin Levitus FoundationErin Levitas Foundation (ELF)

Erin Levitas Foundation (ELF) is a nonprofit organization located in Baltimore, MD, that is dedicated to ending sexual violence. The Foundation works by providing early education resources for youth, young people, caregivers, and educators to deconstruct negative attitudes and perceptions that give rise to sexual violence and support healthy behaviors. ELF focuses on early moments to prevent harm before it escalates. 

 

The Erin Levitas Initiative for Sexual Assault Prevention at Carey School of Law

The Erin Levitas Initiative for Sexual Assault Prevention uses a restorative justice framework to engage middle school students in educational activities designed to help them identify, question, and reject the destructive ideas that give rise to sexual violence.

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