Sexual Assault Policies and Consent Definitions: A Nationally Representative Investigation of U.S. Colleges and Universities |
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| Authors: | Laurie M Graham Sarah Treves-Kagan Erin P Magee Stephanie M DeLong Olivia S Ashley Rebecca J Macy |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USAgrahamlm@email.unc.edu;3. Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA;4. School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA;5. RTI International, Military and Family Risk Behavior Research Program, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA;6. Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA;7. Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA;8. RTI International, Military and Family Risk Behavior Research Program, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACTCampus sexual assault (SA) policies and sexual consent definitions have not been widely studied. The study team conducted a nationally representative review of college and university websites (n = 995), assessing the prevalence of publicly accessible online policies and definitions and examining associations with school characteristics. A content analysis was performed on a subsample (n = 100) of consent definitions. Most schools (93.0%) had an SA policy and consent definition (87.6%) available online. Schools were more likely to have a policy or consent definition if they were large (≥5,000 students), public, or had a female enrollment of ≥33%. Detail and comprehensiveness of definitions varied. Findings highlight opportunities for schools—especially small schools, private schools, and those with more male students—to increase access to SA policies and consent definitions. |
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| Keywords: | Campus sexual assault college consent rape sexual assault policy sexual misconduct sexual violence Title IX |
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