Risk reduction is traditionally understood as any programming that teaches potential victims how to protect themselves from an assault. In short, risk reduction educates potential victims and suggests they modify their behaviors in order to increase their own safety. But that programming focus is precisely why risk reduction is largely absent from…

To respond to the epidemic of sexual assault on college campuses, many postsecondary institutions have instituted campus climate surveys, strengthened sexual assault misconduct policies, and created sexual assault task forces to coordinate entities "within" the institutional setting. However, few colleges and universities have engaged…

Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the greatest social issues affecting South Africa, and universities are no exception. This article reports preliminary results of a pilot study conducted at the University of South Africa (Unisa). The study aimed to ascertain perceptions of GBV among university staff. A range of frequency-seeking questions…

This study investigated the perceptions and attitudes students have regarding their decision to participate or not as witnesses in a southwest United States private university gender-based violence adjudication process. The study also investigated whether there was a relationship between students' decisions to participate and their gender, age,…

Objective: To report on college student opinions about the scope of college sexual misconduct (CSM), suggested university sanctions, and treatment of students found responsible of CSM. Participants: In all, 23 US undergraduate students (14 females and 9 males) with a mean age of 20 years. Methods: Students participated either in female, male, or…

In recent decades, universities have made significant progress toward environmental sustainability and have likewise tightened their budgets and restructured economic models in the name of financial sustainability. However, institutions of higher education have failed to address issues of social sustainability and social injustice, many of which…

Addressing the widespread problem of sexual assault in college environments requires both prevention programming and policies addressing sexual misconduct in institutions of higher education. Through the Campus Sexual Assault Policy and Prevention Initiative, nine programs funded by the Office on Women's Health approached this problem within a…

Background/Aim: Developing a comprehensive prevention strategy requires a coordinated effort among campus stakeholders. Creating a campus sexual assault prevention task force consisting of key stakeholders is a way to ensure coordinated and sustainable prevention efforts. Understanding how to convene and maintain an effective campus prevention…

This article reports on one undergraduate student's journey toward critical literacy about rape culture as a result of reading and discussing a young adult novel in a book study with peers. Using ethnographic and case study methods, the author examines the personal and cultural resources the student brought to the experience, the critical stance…

Objective: "Consent is Sexy" (CIS) is a poster campaign incorporating sex-positive messages to promote consent and increase sexual communication among college students. We assess reactions to the campaign and associations between campaign recall and communication attitudes and behaviors. Participants: Male and female undergraduates at a…

Most young people go to their friends for information on sexuality-related topics, thus it is important to understand the context of these communications so that we may gather insight into sexual values and the underlying emotions and styles of communication. We conducted qualitative weekly surveys regarding discussion of sexual health topics…

Recognising growing concerns about the incidence of staff-to-student sexual misconduct in higher education, this guidance aims to change the culture of higher education to one that prevents sexual misconduct from occurring and ensures high standards of behaviour and safety for all members of the university community. The guidance was developed by…

Title IX prohibits sex discrimination--including sexual assault--in higher education. The Department of Education Office for Civil Rights' 2011 "Dear Colleague Letter" outlines recommendations for campus sexual assault adjudication allowing a variety of procedures that fail to protect accused students' due process rights and victims'…

Alcohol is involved in most sexual assaults on U.S. college campuses. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) students are at higher risk of both sexual assault victimization and substance abuse than their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Through a larger participation action study alongside Campus Advocacy and Prevention…

Objective: A Haddon Matrix analysis was used to systematically review literature evaluating college campus sexual assault prevention programs to identify research gaps and intervention opportunities. Methods: Articles included were published from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2017; indexed in PubMed, PsycInfo, or Scopus; involving…