Evaluation and Recommendations
"There has to be some point in every rape where the woman relaxes and enjoys it. I'm not saying that ladies want to be raped because they enjoy it, but there has to be some point where they enjoy it because sex is enjoyable. And if they're walking around asking for it, in my opinion, they deserve it." -- Joe, age 19, college freshman (Beneke, 1982,53).
Does a collusive acceptance of rape myths and stereotpes exist within the framework of a college/university campus? Does it matter if fraternities or athletic teams are in the forefront of the college socialization? Debates will continue within the mainstream culture as well as within the perspective academic arenas. Acquaintance/date rape is difficult to study. It is a private, hidden crime - though a common experience for many college women. There is fear, stigma, and many times public and institutional indifference.
Though several studies have been done, samples are small, and many times inconclusive. The key to continuing this research is replication and larger sample sizes. There are contentions that sexual violence by athletes and fraternity members are a problem primarily because of media attention. This is not so. Research suggests the existence of a problem on our campuses. Athletes are overrepresented in reports of assault (Sanday, 1996). It is apparent that many fraternity chapters exist where sexual victimization of women is taught and encouraged (Sanday, 1990).
What else can be done?
There has not been any large-scale evaluation projects on prevention/awareness programs on college campuses.One study conducted in Florida (1983)focused primarily on police actions in conjunction with an area rape prevention program. According to a U.S. News and World Report article, (10/7/91), many fraternities have put together anti-rape programs, but as of yet, there has been no evidence that these programs have had an impact on rape rates on college campuses.
Are campuses underreporting? If that is so, how can researchers and policy-makers really understand and know for sure if any prevention programs on campuses are working to deter sexual violence. The Accuracy in Campus Crime Reporting Act,introduced in February, 1997, is trying to eliminate loopholes for campuses in annual crime reporting and has called for a large-scale evaluative investigation, but this act has not yet been passed by Congress.
In our criminal justice system, steps have been taken to improve the treatment of the victims. As we have seen in Decision-making policies and in the section on Implementation, new steps have been taken to show that rape is not only an act of violence, but a violation of one's civil rights. Both male and female students should be educated regarding their rights on campus.
Female students should be educated to avoid certain situation that may lead to rape. Although women cannot avoid rape altogether, there are suggestions that if followed, can minimize chances of victimization. These include: setting sexual limits, be assertive with your choices, be aware that drugs and alcohol are often involved with acts of sexual violence, and specifically if you are unsure of an aquaintance, meet in a public place or with a group.
Though steps have been taken to eliminate the problem of sexual violence on college campuses, it is apparent that many fraternity chapters where sexual victimization of women exist, rape myths are taught and encouraged. Sanday (1996) has discussed the concept of rape-free campuses which is characterized by "Sexual equality and the notion that sexes are complimentary" (Sanday, 1996, 201). This concept can bee attained in reality if campuses work on the idea of developing a consensus on what constitutes a rape-free campus and how it can be achieved. Essentially to strive for this, it would take the college/university to reshape their attitudes not only in regard to women and rape, but also in terms of the importance of male segregated forums. Changing sexual attitudes and views about acquaintance rape are necessary. A society that does not protect its citizens from sex offenses jeopardizes its future success.
We, as a society must see the existing stereotypes for what they are and do -- still encourage male aggression and sexual violence. A college environment has a unique position to help shape its students' values, it should do so in a positive way.
