Student responsibility: Policy approach in sexual assault prevention against women

This study examines three types of sexual assault prevention programs to determine which model reduces student-to-student sexual assault occurrences at higher education institutions. The three models examined include pro-social behavioral, deterrence-based; or a combination of both pro-social behavioral and deterrence-based models which are used as a sexual assault prevention strategy for higher educational institutions.; The findings suggest that higher educational institutions need to more clearly identify institutional commitment toward prevention of sexual assault occurrences on campus to include strategies of how students can more actively protect themselves from victimization. The pro-social behavioral model is based on elements of student responsibility including healthy choices in relationships that can be incorporated in the student code of conduct representing the institutional policy.; In addition, higher education administrators need to consider offering a comprehensive descriptive profile checklist for development, implementation, and evaluation of current sexual assault policies and procedures on campus. The profile incorporates elements of pro-social behavior adding value to existing programming of pre-prevention policy and procedures currently in practice. The pro-social behavioral, pre-prevention descriptive profile includes the following criteria for development and evaluation purposes: benefits of healthy relationships; healthy relationship communication; gender-role awareness; power in relationships: mythology about sexual assault; information about informed consent; elements of risk reduction; and zero based tolerance of sexual assault violence which is promoted by the institution.; This study will assist in continuing policy development and evaluation by identifying and analyzing these three types of models currently being practiced by higher educational institutions (deterrence-based, pro-social behavior, and combination of the two). It will also help policy makers by providing guidelines in which higher education institutions can take into account student responsibility for sexual assault occurrences on campus by providing an in-depth, two-pronged approach to pro-social behavior policy analysis and critical policy analysis. Recommendations are made for higher education institutions to aid in future decisions regarding sexual assault policy and practice on their campuses.