Experts say Cornell case highlights struggle with sexual assault prevention programs

The alleged Cornell University gang rape has put a spotlight on programs and education at colleges that address sexual violence.  

But as Cornell’s president promises more student education on the issue after uproar on campus, the effectiveness of these efforts has come under nationwide scrutiny. 

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said the university wants to change campus culture by investing more in prevention-focused programs, increasing existing education around the bystander effect and working with experts in national sexual violence prevention to strengthen strategies to address the issue on campus. 

But current sexual violence prevention programs on campuses have shown they only do so much to reduce instances of assault. 

Heather Kettrey, an associate professor at the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice at Clemson University, and her colleagues did a 2023 meta-analysis that found these trainings had a “much more substantial effect on knowledge and attitudes” regarding campus sexual assault than “they do on violence.” 

“Typically, programs aim to change knowledge and attitudes as a means of preventing violence. Although campus sexual assault prevention programs do appear to improve knowledge and attitudes, there is not strong evidence that campus sexual assault programs are doing much to prevent violence,” she added. 

Experts say the current prevention programs are often either easily forgotten or ignored by students, emphasizing more frequent trainings, lessons from a trusted person and greater emphasis on accountability from peers would be more impactful for........

© The Hill