Institutional Betrayal to Institutional Courage?: An Evaluation of MSU’s Efforts to Combat Sexual Violence on Campus

• In Event: Victimization in Schools and on College Campuses

Abstract

Preventing and appropriately responding to sexual violence on college campuses has been challenging for many universities across the United States. Michigan State University (MSU), in the wake of the 2016 sexual abuse scandal, put substantial time and resources into combatting sexual violence. Using an institutional courage framework, the current research sought to investigate the effectiveness of MSU efforts to improve prevention and response to sexual violence. Staff, faculty, and students at MSU completed a survey that gauged awareness of sexual violence initiatives and services, perceptions of campus safety, and trust in the institution. Results indicate that while respondents recognize MSU’s efforts to address the issue, large, structural changes to campus climate are still a work in progress indicating a shift from institutional betrayal to institutional courage requires ongoing commitment and resources dedicated to sexual violence prevention.

Authors

• Sarah Prior, Michigan State University

• Brooke de Heer, Northern Arizona University

• Jax Kynn, Michigan State University