College student attitudes towards sexual assault

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine college students' attitudes regarding sexual assault. In particular whether attitudes about sexual assault had campus and whether men or women were more likely to subscribe to rape myths. A total of 172 participants were assessed at an upper Midwestern state university. Students completed a 26 item survey regarding their concurrence with sexual assault mythology. Their degree of accord or conflict was demonstrated through the use of a Likert scale. Common sexual assault myths are defined and examined by discussing how myths are perpetuated and the effects those myths have on both blaming the victim and relinquishing responsibility from the perpetrator. Contributing factors to belief in those myths such as societal attitudes, group thinking, and media are discussed. The study found statistically significant differences between male and female concurrence with the myths discussed. Defining changes in attitude since the last survey were inconclusive. Educational solutions to the problem are outlined. Questions for further research are delineated including replication of the study to reassess attitudes, modification of the instrument to gather information on how participants have learned information about the opposite sex, and finally define programs which motivate men to speak out against men's violence against women.