Credit: NYU Local The U.S. Department of Education recently gave a firm push to colleges and universities to get tough about sexual assaults on campus. Several have come under scrutiny in the last year for failing to address accusations of sexual assault, while some have responded by implementing strict policies that automatically expel guilty offenders. But policies alone won’t fix this problem. Punishments must be coupled with education and awareness programs that empower victims and clarify definitions around rape, so assaults are reported more frequently and campuses address them more openly.
Duke University’s new, stricter policy, enacted in April 2013, recognizes that rape is a serious crime and deserves serious punishment. One Duke student has already been expelled under the policy, which illustrates for the student body that sexual assault is not acceptable and that victims should and can come forward without fear of retribution or being ignored. But Duke’s policy is also flexible enough that not all guilty offenders are treated equally: It includes an option for offenders to “talk down” their sentences if they think their situation warrants it. Dartmouth University has a similar expulsion policy for guilty offenders, and it also has created a university position for a trained investigator to address any allegations.
These are strong stances against sexual assault, but one policy with a strict consequence will not end sexual assault on campus — nor will it combat myths or the stigma around rape and rape victims or sexual assailants. University leaders must also create campuses where victims are met with understanding, and students and faculty are more aware that sexual assault is predatory.
To empower victims, to increase the reporting of sexual assaults, and to provide the proper resources to those affected, university leaders must work toward creating a campus culture that collectively recognizes sexual assault and why it is wrong. This can best be achieved through structured conversations about sex and consent, which are organic to students’ social and interpersonal interactions. By knowing the rights and resources available, victims can be empowered to report more cases. Some good examples of this are happening at the University of Maryland and the University of New Hampshire — which teach concepts like bystander intervention — as well as campus-wide campaigns, like Take Back the Night, which raise awareness about sexual violence and distribute educational material about sexual assaults. These programs cannot prevent rape, but they can clarify students’ definitions of rape and promote better conversations for obtaining consent. Prolonged educational programs like these are shown to alter participants’ perceptions of rape and rape-related attitudes: the longer the session, the greater the effect.
Safety is an important aspect for learning, in any environment and at every level. If any students feel victimized or unsafe — and if administrators do not have policies in place to properly address sexual assault on campus — then the school itself has already failed before class even starts.
Claire Bocage is a research assistant focusing on workplace psychology. Reach her via email.
These are strong stances against sexual assault, but one policy with a strict consequence will not end sexual assault on campus — nor will it combat myths or the stigma around rape and rape victims or sexual assailants. University leaders must also create campuses where victims are met with understanding, and students and faculty are more aware that sexual assault is predatory.
To empower victims, to increase the reporting of sexual assaults, and to provide the proper resources to those affected, university leaders must work toward creating a campus culture that collectively recognizes sexual assault and why it is wrong. This can best be achieved through structured conversations about sex and consent, which are organic to students’ social and interpersonal interactions. By knowing the rights and resources available, victims can be empowered to report more cases. Some good examples of this are happening at the University of Maryland and the University of New Hampshire — which teach concepts like bystander intervention — as well as campus-wide campaigns, like Take Back the Night, which raise awareness about sexual violence and distribute educational material about sexual assaults. These programs cannot prevent rape, but they can clarify students’ definitions of rape and promote better conversations for obtaining consent. Prolonged educational programs like these are shown to alter participants’ perceptions of rape and rape-related attitudes: the longer the session, the greater the effect.
Safety is an important aspect for learning, in any environment and at every level. If any students feel victimized or unsafe — and if administrators do not have policies in place to properly address sexual assault on campus — then the school itself has already failed before class even starts.
Claire Bocage is a research assistant focusing on workplace psychology. Reach her via email.
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