Everyday terrorism: Campus sexual violence and the neoliberal university

Abstract

This article investigates the ways sexual violence experienced on college campuses in the United States is situated within the neoliberal university. Feminist theories are utilized to explore the relationship between sexual violence and neoliberal ideologies. The authors evaluate how neoliberal tenets imbedded in higher education have contributed to, and exacerbated, an environment where sexual victimization is common. An institutional level of analysis is utilized to examine the neoliberal influence on campus sexual violence and investigate the utility of the term everyday terrorism.

Unwilling trust: Unpacking the assumption of trust between sexual misconduct reporters and their institutions in UK higher education

“…Gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH), including sexual harassment and assault, in higher education (HE) is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality, and as such is under discussion in policy, practice, and scholarship internationally (Ahmed, 2021;Bull & Rye, 2018;Cantor et al, 2015;NUS, 2018;Prior & de Heer, 2021).…”

“…Gender‐based violence and harassment (GBVH), including sexual harassment and assault, in higher education (HE) is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality, and as such is under discussion in policy, practice, and scholarship internationally (Ahmed, 2021; Bull & Rye, 2018; Cantor et al., 2015; NUS, 2018; Prior & de Heer, 2021). Common consequences of experiencing GBVH include mental health deterioration, poor academic and/or career performance, and withdrawals from university (Bull & Rye, 2018).…”

Violencia de género en la Universidad: percepciones, actitudes y conocimientos desde la voz del estudiantado

“…Diversas investigaciones alrededor del mundo han documentado la presencia de múltiples violencias, principalmente de tipo sexual destacando el hostigamiento, acoso, abuso, violación, burlas, piropos, gestos obscenos, reportadas en su mayoría por alumnas, profesoras y administrativas y ejercidas por algún compañero de trabajo o estudio (Agoff & Mingo, 2010;Arias-Sotelo, Chapa-Romero, Sánchez-Xicotencatl & Cadena-Alvear, 2021;Carillo, 2014;Gross, Winslett, Roberts & Gohm, 2006;Peluffo, 2011;Prior & Heer, 2021;Sánchez-Olvera & Güereca-Torres, 2015;Valls, 2008;Zamudio, Andrade, Arana & Alvarado, 2017).…”

“…Violencia de género en la universidad: percepciones, actitudes y conocimientos desde la voz del estudiantado Al respecto, algunas académicas han descrito la negligencia y complicidad relacionada con la violencia sexual generalizada en los campus universitarios como una "conspiración de silencio", "ignorancia cultivada", "derecho a no saber", "ignorancia concertada o estratégica", "silenciamiento sistemático", "cultura de la simulación", conceptos utilizados para representar la inacción intencionada y la falta de atención a la victimización sexual por parte de las instituciones de educación superior en un intento de proteger su reputación, las tasas de matriculación de estudiantes y los financiamientos (Barreto, 2017;Feldthusen, McIntyre en Mingo & Moreno, 2015;Prior & Heer, 2021).…”

Creating a University Strategic Plan to Address Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM): An Application of Principles-Focused Evaluation at Michigan State University

“…The nature and scope of the case were devastating and served as a catalyst for institutional reckoning. The causes and consequences of that crisis are unique to MSU; however, MSU is not alone in these types of failures, as demonstrated by the growing number of IHEs that have had large-scale crises relating to RVSM (e.g., Pennsylvania State University, University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Baylor University, and University of Montana-Missoula; Prior & de Heer, 2021). The events that unfolded at MSU raise questions about what IHEs should do in the wake of such crises, and more importantly, what they should be doing proactively to create a campus culture of accountability, respect, and safety.…”