There is an urgent need in higher education to research prevention education programming that educates and empowers young men to be a part of the solution to sexual violence on college campuses. It’s On Us partnered with HauckEye to conduct a first-of-its-kind qualitative study exploring the attitudes and perceptions of male-identiyfing students and their likelihood to get involved in the prevention of gender-based violence on campus. The Research Project collected information on the types of prevention programming schools are conducting, as well as their effectiveness, reach, and possible gaps by using an exploratory qualitative method in order to better understand the experiences, attitudes, and behaviors of young college men. This research method was chosen for its ability to explain behavior that cannot be easily quantified by allowing participants to detail their experiences and feelings.
The study has several key conclusions. The interviews revealed that study participants aren’t aware of the extent of sexual violence on campus and/or do not see how it effects them. Participants highlighted that current training programs are ineffective, boring, and disconnected from their campus experience. Building awareness of campus sexual assault among young men requires more than just training: they need non-male friends and role models in order to see non-male peers as people, rather than objects. Finally,the men in the study viewed themselves as “good people” and expressed a desire to help others, but they just don’t know how. This underscores the need for comprehensive training to give young men the tools necessary to be an active bystander.
In order to build the most effective programing, It’s On Us campus administrators should implement creative training methods and consider providing certifications to give students a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, training sessions should be held in person whenever possible to increase comprehension. Programing should focus on combating assumptions about campus sexual violence, such as the sterotype that sexual violence only happens at fraternities. Finally, building campus connections is key to effective prevention. Ensuring that men, women, and gender non-conforming students are fully integrated on campus helps establish that non-male identifying students are seen as more than objects.
Key findings in the study include:
- Men aren’t concerned about the problem: The young men who participated generally are not aware of the extent of sexual violence on campus, often viewing it as a problem limited to Greek life that does not affect them or their school as a whole.
- Current trainings are inadequate: Participants tend to find current trainings, particularly online-only trainings, boring and ineffective. More positive experiences are in-person and use creative training methods, such as engaging, relatable speakers and interactive components like a certificate.
- Men need non-male friends and role models: Strong relationships with non-male friends and role models have a big impact on male-identifying students’ awareness of campus sexual assault and their willingness to become involved and intervene in situations of gender-based violence.
- Men don’t know how to help: The majority of college men would like to have a bigger role in sexual assault prevention and expressed a desire to help, but they do not feel they are prepared with the right tools to intervene.