Sexual Assault and Harassment

1
Sexual Assault and Harassment

• Are we protected?

2
The Headline

• Duke University lacrosse players accused of
  sexually assaulting a stripper

3
What we need to know

• Where does the causal line of sexual harassment
  end and predatory assault begin?
• Does the administration influence its existence
  on campus?

4
What do we know

• Among students who have been the target of sexual
  harassment, a majority (55) say that they have
  harassed others.
• In contrast, of students who have never been
  harassed, only 17 say they have harassed others.
• More than one-fifth of students (21) who have
  been harassed say that they have harassed others
  often or occasionally (Dyer, 2005)

5
How do we know?

• In most contexts, an element of subjectivity
  determines what is and is not sexual harassment.
• Simple definition of subjectivity
• judgment based on individual personal impressions
  and feelings and opinions rather than external
  facts

wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
6
Where the problem begins

• While no means no, when does the
  responsibility of clear communication really
  begin?
• How does a male really understand that the female
  is not consenting to the act of sex before he
  becomes sexually engaged?
• How does the female understand the males
  expectation of a good time before the act
  begins?

7
The Big Payback

• Sororities and women who go to frat parties are
  well aware of the expectations of females who
  attend such a party.
• Media and academic studies have propagated the
  stereotyping of these roles and their perceived
  expectations.

8
Where do you find the answers?

• Student Handbook
• Student services
• CAPS
• Wellness Center
• Health Clinic
• Public Safety
• Faculty and Staff

9
Recommended Standards

• Sexual harassment policies that are clearly
  defined.
• Policies compliant with relevant outstanding case
  law.
• Policies based on a gender-neutral approach and
  with specific procedural steps.

10
A step further

• A clearly outlined flowchart of how the
  administrative departments at KSU work regarding
  student issues.
• Interdepartmental programs and services that are
  coordinated to educate, prevent and heal the
  population as a whole.
• A Bill of Rights for Students regarding dating,
  social events and education.

11
Are we safe?