Academic Psychiatry’s Role in Addressing Campus Sexual Assault

Abstract

In 2011, the US President, Vice President, and Secretary of Education spotlighted the serious and pervasive issue of sexual assault in institutions of higher learning, offering comprehensive guidance to colleges and universities regarding student rights and needs. In 2014, the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault was established and the "It's On Us" public health campaign was launched, aiming to inspire and engage all members of college campus communities in preventing sexual assault and victimization. At the outset of the campaign, President Obama stated that sexual assault was an "affront to our basic humanity" [1]:It insults our most basic values as individuals and families, and as a nation. We are a nation that values liberty and equality and justice. And we're a people who believe every child deserves an education … free from fear of intimidation or violence. And we owe it to our children to live up to those values.The campaign partnered with student, faculty, and university organizations; the media; the Department of Justice; the Department of Health and Human Services; and other stakeholders. Through this campaign, efforts were undertaken to reach kindergarteners to high school seniors, first-year university students to college educators, and all levels of leaders in higher education.Later in 2014, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) [2] reported the results of its Community Attitudes on Sexual Assault survey (35 % response rate, N = 3844 participants), endorsing strong, prosocial, respectful, and protective attitudes regarding consensual sexual relations and sexual safety. Nevertheless, 17 % of undergraduate women and 5 % of undergraduate men in this study reported an experience of unwanted sexual behavior during their college careers. When asked about more specific or "labeled" unwanted sexual behaviors, 5 % of the undergraduate women reported being raped, 14 % reported being stalked or followed or receiving repeated unwanted messages that made them feel uncomfortable, and 15 % reported that they had been sexually harassed. The most common perpetrators of these unwanted behaviors and acts of sexual violence were fellow students. These experiences were less commonly reported by undergraduate men and by graduate students in the study. Most survivors of these experiences had talked with someone, such as a friend, family member, or doctor, about what had happened, but only a very small proportion (fewer than 5 %) formally reported their experience to an institutional or other official. The MIT report emphasized the important positive role of bystanders in shifting social norms, for example, by speaking up against sexist remarks or unwanted behavior, checking in with others about whether they need assistance, and looking out for others by walking them home safely [3]. DeGue [4] has also highlighted the possible benefits of bystander efforts in preventing sexual assault.

Prevalence of intimidation, harassment, and discrimination in resident physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…36,[72][73][74] This is likely related to unique power differentials, 24 which may be driven by prejudicial views toward the discipline of psychiatry that disproportionately sensitize trainees to IHD. 75 Factors related to compassion fatigue and burnout may also be more common among psychiatry trainees given the empathic demands of their work and vicarious exposure to IHD. 69 Psychiatrists are also paid the least among medical specialties-a systematic factor that is outside of the immediate control of most physicians.…”

Campus sexual assault: examination of policy and research

“…Jozkowski and Ekbia (2015) suggest developing several sexual assault prevention programs that can be used together, such as the video game program during the first year of studies, while promoting more direct intervention in cases of assault later on. Roberts et al (2016) suggest greater student inclusion in sexual assault prevention programs and more attention given to students of all gender identities. Finally, one could examine whether the addition of an online tutorial in safe sex practices and consent would help to decrease the rate of sexual assault in first-year students.…”

“…However, despite the widespread prevalence of sexual violence on university campuses, few individuals actually report their victimization through official channels (Karjane et al , 2005), and the figures found in surveys do not correspond to those in official reports. One seminal study found that only 5 percent of assaults are reported to law enforcement (Koss, 1988), while another found that less than 5 percent of sexual assault, harassment, or stalking incidents were reported to university officials (Roberts et al , 2016). By contrast, students who have experienced sexual assault do disclose to family members or friends (Roberts et al , 2016) and to surveys.…”

“…One seminal study found that only 5 percent of assaults are reported to law enforcement (Koss, 1988), while another found that less than 5 percent of sexual assault, harassment, or stalking incidents were reported to university officials (Roberts et al , 2016). By contrast, students who have experienced sexual assault do disclose to family members or friends (Roberts et al , 2016) and to surveys.…”

“…Additionally, the “It’s On Us” campaign launched by the President Barack Obama in 2014 promoted awareness of campus sexual assault and encouraged people to engage in consensual sex practices. This campaign also urged individuals to speak up if they noticed an unsafe situation (Roberts et al , 2016). Several government organizations partnered with the White House to bring attention to the prevalence of campus sexual assaults, and attempted to challenge current rhetoric surrounding sexual activity through media and celebrity endorsements.…”