Examining Elements of Campus Sexual Violence Policies

Abstract

The promulgation of sexual violence policies can be viewed from both criminal justice and public health perspectives. The public health model focuses on prevention through health promotion in contrast to a criminal justice analysis based primarily on deterrence. Because each perspective has a unique focus, policies may have different implications and outcomes. This study subjects campus sexual violence policies to analysis from public health and criminal justice perspectives. Campus sexual violence policies were obtained from a sample of 100 United States colleges and universities in 1998. A descriptive analysis of the types of sexual violence prevention programs and dissemination of knowledge about the policies is presented. Data on actual policies collected were analyzed employing content analytic techniques. Overall, deterrence-based prevention efforts were the most common element, followed by risk- or opportunity-reduction approaches. Implications for campus sexual violence prevention efforts of merging the public health and criminal justice approaches are discussed.

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