Innovative study on the perception gap contributing to sexual violence.

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READ FINDINGS

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.

TOP 2 TIPS FOR COLLEGES:

girl with computer icon

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.

bullseye

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.

Want customized, research-based prevention programming?

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VIDEO FOR STUDENTS: WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Summary of study findings. Feel free to share to spark more research and change (but please cite our work).

EDITORIALS


Digging deeper into the disconnect around how much convincing women need to have sex, and potential next steps.

PRESS RELEASE


The research objective is to make the data accessible and actionable; let us know if you want to help spread the word.     

RESOURCES

CONTEXT: WHY CONFI?

Our team is passionate about reducing sexual assault and deeply understands the student experience.

students friends at table talking, text Sexual Assault Discussion Guide

FREE RESOURCE FOR STUDENT GROUPS

Free guide based in research on how to lead a student discussion group about sexual assault.

parents talking to kids on couch with text Sexual Assault Conversation Guide

FREE RESOURCE FOR PARENTS

Free discussion guide based in research on how to use talk to your high school kids about sexual assault.