Strong new student orientation programs include strong sexual violence prevention training. Statistics show that one in four women will suffer sexual assault during her time in college (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006). This staggering statistic causes great concern to universities, students, families, and the American society. Incoming college students must receive relevant information about making healthy choices regarding sexual behavior and personal safety. So, when it comes to crafting these well-intentioned programs, the question often remains – what, exactly, do students need to know? As universities educate students during orientation, four topics emerge as crucial to living safely on a college campus and to making healthy choices.

Students Need to Know

• How to Protect Themselves from Becoming a Victim

Students should learn about personal protection strategies including warnings to guard their drinks, even non-alcoholic drinks (Breitenbecher, 2000), and remain aware of their surrounds. They also need to understand the importance of safety in numbers and utilizing the buddy system, whether at a party, on campus, or out in the community (Yeater & O’Donohue, 1999).

• How to Protect Themselves from Becoming A Perpetrator

Regardless of intention, sexual behavior in certain situations constitutes criminal conduct. Students need to know how to avoid unintentionally violating a partner by ensuring any partner possesses the capacity to give consent and that given consent remains mutual and ongoing. Verbal communication of consent represents less ambiguous consent than non-verbal expressions (Lim & Roloff, 1997).

• How to Protect Others from Being Victims

Students may remain attentive to information about how to help their friends during problematic sexual incidences longer than how to protect themselves (Katz, 1994). Sexual violence prevention training should encourage students to accept responsibility for their peers and their community and to take action to prevent potential sexual violence.

• How to Make Healthy Decisions about Sex and Relationships

Finally, orientation programs must provide new students with information about making healthy decisions regarding relationships and sexual behavior. College programming “could help young adults identify their expectations about relationships and hooking up, learn how to define their romantic relationships and communicate about expectations, and monitor barriers to making good relationship decisions (e.g., alcohol use)” (Owen et al., 2010, p. 662). Encouraging consideration and conversations about relationship expectations and safe sexual practices can equip students with tools to protect themselves and others.

Sexual violence prevention programming will remain part of higher education for the foreseeable future. The sexual violence prevention landscape will likely continue to increase in complexity, making it crucial for orientation programs to clearly communicate what students need to know about living safely on college campuses. What are other universities doing to develop and implement prevention programs to face this important issue?

Lindsey Koch, M.Ed.,
Doctoral Student, Doctorate in Leadership Program, Hardin-Simmons University
Student Transitions & Orientation Director, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas

References

Breitenbecher, K. H. (2000). Sexual assault on college campuses: Is an ounce of prevention enough? Applied and Preventive Psychology, 9, 23–52.

Lim G. Y., & Roloff., M. E. (1997). Attributing sexual consent. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 27, 1-23.

Katz, J. (1994). Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) trainer’s guide. Boston, MA: Northeastern University Center for the Study of Sport in Society.

Owen, J. J., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Fincham, F. D. (2010). “Hooking up” among college students: Demographic and psychological correlates. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39, 653–663.

Tjaden, P. & Thoennes, N. (2006). Extent, nature and consequences of rape victimization: Findings from the national violence against women survey. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice.

Yeater, E. A., & O’Donohue, W. (1999). Sexual assault prevention programs: Current issues, future directions, and the potential efficacy of interventions with women. Clinical Psychology Review, 19, 739–771.