Decreasing Rape-Related Attitudes and Sexual Aggression Through Compassion Building: Results from the SAFE Campus Pilot Study

• In Event: Gendered Violence Among Students

Abstract

The incidence of sexual assault committed by high school student is alarmingly high. Unfortunately, interventions intended to reduce exposure to sexual victimization among juveniles are still relatively rare in American high schools. This research is intended to assess the effectiveness of a sexual assault prevention program on male high school students' rape-related attitudes and experiences with sexual aggression/victimization. The study examines high school boys experiences of a three-day “personal responsibility” program guided by the theory of reasoned action, recent research in compassion and empathy building, and the need to address a variety of risky behaviors. Results based on pre and post-intervention measurements indicated that the intensity of rape myth support and reported incidence of sexually aggressive behaviors decreased with program participation relative to a control group who did not participate in programing.

Author

• Jason Clark-Miller, Tarrant County College Northwest