Sex Offender Policies and Campus Sexual Assault

• In Event: Roundtable: Teaching about Sex Crimes and Criminals

Abstract

Recently, campus sexual assault has received increased national public and empirical attention. This presentation examines the nature and extent of sex crimes involving student victims and prominent new policy responses, such as prevention initiatives and mandatory reporting procedures implemented to reduce sexual victimization across institutions of higher learning. Specifically, it summarizes sexual assault trends and patterns nationally and analyzes the logic of the new policies, research evaluating their impacts, and the strengths and limitations of the reforms. Special emphasis is given toward integrating innovative pedagogical approaches toward teaching this material and informing students of their risk of sexual victimization and perpetration, in addition to prevention methods and strategies.

Author

• Christina Mancini, Virginia Commonwealth University