(In)Capable Guardians: Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication

• In Event: Community Responses to Sexual Violence

Abstract

Research has established the campus sexual assault adjudication process as a source of trauma and potential revictimization for victims (Baker 2017; Behre 2017; McGregor 2016). According to the feminist routine activities approach, for a victimization to take place, three things must converge: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian (Schwartz and Pitts 1995). Because adjudications necessarily involve an offender, a target, and guardians, this research explores what factors influence the capability of these guardians, the potential members of sexual assault hearing panels. I use an experimental survey of a random sample of faculty and staff members at public four-year universities to answer the following research questions: (1) How likely are faculty and staff members to assign blame to victims/perpetrators of sexual assault? (2) How likely are faculty and staff members to recommend suspension/expulsion of perpetrators of sexual assault? This study makes an important contribution to the campus sexual assault literature by examining the beliefs, perceptions, and experiences of faculty and staff members, who are frequently included in the pool of potential adjudication hearing panel members.

Author

• Rachel E. Davis, Middle Tennessee State University