Dive Brief:
- Students who report sexual assault on campus are frequently left out of the coverage and conversation when incidents involve athletes, because most officials responsible for investigating are aware of outcomes which may impact the on-the-field product.
- Journalist and author Jessica Luther says campuses teaching consent and hiring more women in athletic areas are part of a solution to broadening tolerance and limiting acceptance of rape culture.
- Administrators often take a defensive posture in handing athlete assault cases, with a perspective of it being an issue "everywhere."
Dive Insight:
As colleges and universities are still learning how to discourage rape culture while encouraging reporting of the same, many campuses are learning they do not have the personnel with the proper training or Title IX experience to meet standards of confidentiality and non-bias. As a result, millions of students nationwide are losing confidence in the executive ability to protect and to respond to assault incidents and accusations.
Campus leaders are best suited seeking the guidance of federal public safety authorities, advocates who work and research in areas of sexual assault and assault culture, and to empower faculty and staff with direct access to students to encourage dialog on why rape culture exists, how it exists, and students' role in eliminating it. Resources from the federal government to finance specific offices which exclusively train on Title IX compliance, and serve as objective voices in incident reporting and processing may also be available to institutions needing extra help.