Title IX and Sexual Assault: Vignettes Expose Undergraduates’ Perceptions of Consent and Endorsement of Rape Myths

• In Event: Posters II

Abstract

Under Title IX and the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter, universities are now more aware of their obligation to educate, prevent, and respond to sexual assaults. Most studies have utilized survey data to assess endorsement of rape myths held by undergraduate students. Fewer studies have engaged undergraduate students in the review of vignettes to better understand the degree to which they place blame upon the victims. The current study used a survey packet which included a modified rape myth scale, questions about previous related education, and confidence in replying to a set of seven vignettes. The vignettes varied in degree of consent, acceptance, and sexual assault. The sample of 357 students indicated that participants were more likely to recognize whether consent was given than they were to recognize whether the vignette met legal standards for sexual assault. Additionally, they were more likely to identify that substance abuse would prevent an individual from giving legal consent. The study found mixed results for sex, race, and previous education when reviewing the vignettes and rape myth scale. The results can provide universities with information to better individualize their sexual assault prevention efforts by tailoring education programs to reflect the deficits from the current results.

Authors

• Mackenzie Orchard, Fort Hays State University

• April Terry, Fort Hays State University

• Vivian Hughes, Kansas State University