ERIC Number: ED645986
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 261
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-8340-4816-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
A Comparative Case of How a Panhellenic Sorority Is Effectively Addressing the Prevalence of Victim Blaming and Survivor Support
Caitlyn J. Zang
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D./HE Dissertation, Azusa Pacific University
Sexual violence on college and university campuses is a significant public health concern for educators in the context of postsecondary institutions across the United States. One of the populations on college campuses most at-risk of being victimized by sexual assault is women within a sorority (Mohler-Kuo et al., 2004). Partly in response to heightened awareness about the array of sexual assault-related problems, Panhellenic sororities have escalated efforts to create, support, and fund critical outreach and educational efforts to combat party culture. As policies have evolved at the (inter)national, regional, and local levels, fraternities and sororities continue to work with colleges and universities to address the increasing surge of sexual violence cases and cultivate a community of safety for Greek life members (Armstrong et al., 2014; Banyard, Moynihan, et al., 2007; Vladutiu et al., 2011). To date, however, only limited literature has examined how sororities at the (inter)national and local levels are providing policies and programming to cultivate a culture that supports survivors and combats victim blaming on college campuses. Based on an analysis of survey data gathered by Dyad Strategies, Inc. from over 450 institutions across the United States, this study focused on one of the "best of the best" sororities affiliated with the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and 2 campus chapters of that organization to examine the contributors to a culture change that supports survivors and decreases victim blaming. With the goal of providing research-based data to sororities and campus leaders seeking to effectively address these issues, this study addressed the research question: What are the characteristics of a Panhellenic sorority that foster an environment of high levels of survivor support and low levels of victim blaming? Using a descriptive comparative case study methodology, data were gathered from 37 interviews and focus group participants during 3 on-site visits. Additionally, a review of documents obtained from the international sorority and 2 respective campuses provided valuable information about why, what, and how a cultural change had been successfully implemented at each of the research sites. An analytic lens informed by feminist theory and drawing from the work of Miller (1976) and Jordan (2000) regarding Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) allowed for a comparison with existing literature and this study's identification of elements that had contributed to one sorority's distinctive effectiveness in creating an organizational culture that has addressed sexual violence on campus and supported survivors (Schutts et al., 2017). Three major themes were identified in presenting key findings from this study: (a) Motivations for Creating an Organization That Supports Survivors and Decreases Victim Blaming; (b) Implementation of Systemic Changes; (c) Sustaining a Culture of Survivor Support and Decreased Victim Blaming. Data related to these three themes were examined to better understand why, what, and how this particular Panhellenic sorority has been intentionally cultivating a supportive environment for sorority women characterized by high levels of survivor support and low levels of victim blaming. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Sororities, Females, Higher Education, Crime Prevention, Sexual Abuse, Violence, Victims of Crime, Activism, Social Support Groups, Accountability, Safety
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A