Innovative study on the perception gap contributing to sexual violence.

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CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT: CONFLICTING EXPECTATIONS & BELIEFS
Fall 2016 Study

Sexual assault is a serious public health and safety problem across college campuses. Most cases go unreported, making research a key component to understanding the problem. This study’s primary goal is to provide students and administrators with actionable insights to prevent sexual assault. In particular, it aims to pinpoint which beliefs and misaligned expectations students have that may promote sexual violence.

A FEW KEY FINDINGS:

45% of men say they expect vaginal sex if they go home with someone after a party vs. 31% of women. There are not just differences by gender or social group, but every demographic shows a diverse range of expectations. This increases the likelihood that any pairing has mismatched expectations and misreads cues.
24% of men agree that “Women usually have to be convinced to have sex.”
31% of women have experienced unwanted sex because the person “persistently tried to make moves even after you said ‘no’.”
28% of men agree that “Many accusations of sexual assault are the result of women regretting sex after the fact.”
16% of men agree that “If both people are drunk, it cannot be sexual assault.“

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TOP 2 TIPS FOR COLLEGES:

SURVEYS: ADD NUANCED UNWANTED SEX OPTIONS

Offer more options on the campus climate survey to track types of unwanted sex incidents, such as persistence that isn’t physical force, which are now hidden in the data. Knowing what the specific problems are will enable more tailored solutions.

ADDRESS EXPECTATIONS HEAD-ON

Facilitate student perspective-taking exercises and encourage conversation instead of passive lecture-style or click-through training. Focus on perception gaps that may be a barrier to consent conversations, instead of definitions, and challenge students to think.