After having many meaningful discussion regarding women’s general health, mental health, adolescence and vulnerability, and sexuality, I plan to continue pursuing the topic of forced rape amongst college women. This is a critical topic, especially this is a college course filled with college men and women. However, in this entry, I also wanted to take on the male perspective, and use this understanding to begin creating interventions in the college setting, which can hopefully be applied to a larger male audience in the future.
In another study, rape is recognized as the most highly occurring violent act on college campuses. I wanted to look at rape from the male perspective, as this is sometimes ignored in cases of violence and sexual assault. There have been several studies completed to explore the mindset of males and the results have been positive. An intervention that has been set in place in several colleges are focus groups that targets the men, rather than the women, to change their attitudes regarding relationships. In a Southeastern public university, 184 college men participated in a sexual assault peer educational group. These groups consist of men who may have or may have not sexually assaulted women with the goal to introduce a healthier sexual lifestyle. The study showed that 79% of the men involved reported attitude change, behavior change, or both. The cause of rape was explained to be attributed in part to a culture in which men receive peer support to sexually assault women, if not directly, then by ignoring the acts when they occur. Approximately 9% of college men admit to acts meeting the legal definition of either rape or attempted rape. However, many men reported to having ignored acts of assault or failed to report them, which is similarly reprehensible and is a behavior change that was targeted in the peer groups. By ignoring these acts, males are indirectly encouraging such behavior within groups of friends, fraternities, or even larger social make-ups. The men examined their role in sexual assaults, and it was made clear that any man is a potential bystander and has the capability of intervening and stopping a rape from occurring.
While many men in the studies did not perceive themselves as rapists, they did perceive themselves as having the potential to intervene when rape may occur and help survivors of rape. One of the many goals of the peer group, or Men’s Group, was educating men as helpers and advocates for women’s sexual health and rights. The group seemed successful in educating men through the use of a DVD video. The video described male-on-male rape experience to teach men how a rape experience may feel. While the majority of force rape on college campuses occurs between men and women, there are instances of male-on-male raping as well as female-on-male raping, which may go more unsaid. This learning aid enabled men to have not only sympathy, but also empathy for women rape victims. The men were taught how to support a rape survivor and learn how to define sexual consent. Rape is often downplayed in a male community, in part due to jokes and the playful manner with which it is addressed. Females who had experienced rape told of how it has affected them and how alcohol often play a role in the occurrence, and how often times there was a male bystander who did not stop the alcohol consumption of the act itself. After the study, many of the men altered their answers in one section of a survey and almost 50% reported that “Alcohol can be dangerous.” While this may be a simple statement, it is essential to first recognize the many of the causes and influences of rape and address them in a serious manner. Many individuals also reported they had a better understanding of the trauma associated with rape and they understood the importance of communication in addressing rape with their peers, intervening when necessary, and also as a tool for supporting victims of rape.
Confronting alcohol consumption and confronting alcohol abuse will be integrated into future programs, as most rapes occurring on college campuses include alcohol. I feel that this issue is important and addressed amongst college males, even if a formal peer group is not involved. Though men do not directly address rape on a regular basis, the unspoken respect and understanding for women in a college setting that involves alcohol has improved and will hopefully continue to improve. I feel that male support groups should exist on all college campuses, not only to target males who have assaulted females, but also to educate men who have not and prevent any future assaults. There are still very large gender gaps and how we perceive sexual health and activity, and men need to be educated to understand the gravity of sexual assault and no longer take it lightly, even if in a joking manner. Many different workshops are occurring throughout different college campuses and often target first and second year male students.
Sources:
Abbey, A., & McAuslan, P. (2004). A longitudinal examination of male college students’ perpetration of sexual assault. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 747-756
Banyard, V. L., Moynihan, M. M., & Plante, E. G. (2007). Sexual violence prevention through bystander education: An experimental evaluation. Journal of Community Psychology, 35, 463-481
Foubert, J., Godin, E., Tatum, J. (2009). In their own words: Sophomore college men describe attitude and behavior changes resulting from a rape prevention program 2 years after their participation. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25, 2237-2257
Lisak, D., & Miller, P. (2002). Repeat rape and multiple offending among undetected rapists. Violence and Victims, 17, 73-84
6 Comments
Like I say, men are both the underlying problem, but also the true solution to discrimination against women! Thank you for writing about the male perspective. I believe that women (and men) are unsuccessful in their ventures because they fail to take into account the views and strengths of the opposite gender. Men are amazing, women are amazing
What’s a penis without a vagina? (ok, ok, some people might take issue with that, but if you think in non-sexual terms…like yin-yang)
Totally agree- it’s crucial to get men on board if we’re going to solve any of the many issues we’ve been talking about. Across college campuses, including Stanford, I think rape is often taken too lightly and joked about. For example, I came across a meme the other day with a picture of the sketch of the most recent sexual assaulter accompanied by a witty line (I forget exactly what it said). It’s since been taken down from the facebook page, but just another example of the lack of seriousness around the issue.
I found this blog to be incredibly refreshing. I dislike that when women’s rights are discussed, men are often excluded from the discussion. Yet, if women’s roles are changing, it only makes sense that men’s roles must change as well. And I completely agree with Kristin, I think all too often rape in college is taken too lightly. I remember having to take online alcohol training freshmen year, but I never had to learn about this issue. This is unfortunate considering I know a few girls at Stanford who have been raped in situations similar to the ones mentioned above. I understand that a university can’t mandate training for every issue university students face, but I think college rape prevention should be considered.
To Echo Kristin’s comment. Rape and sexual assault at stanford and throughout society is definitely taken to lightly! Additionally, it takes two to tango and the discussion of men is very important when discussing sexual assault and rape. In our ecology meeting this week there was a struggle for the man in our group to relate to the women and how she feels about her body, though he was trying really hard. This was also true for US, women too, to understand the male perspective. I really do believe that men and women need to understand each other’s perspectives.
It’s such a good idea to take the male perspective on this issue. I am really interested in learning about male interventions for all sorts of women’s issues, since they are often so involved the root causes. I am wondering how the men for the studies that you mentioned were selected. I think the programs would be awesome to implement at Stanford, and other schools, but would be difficult to gain interest.
Michael! I love your blog! Thank you for writing this!
It is very true. I think that more needs to be done on college campuses to incorporate male support to the fight to ensure female equality. Thank you for allowing me to read from a man what’s going on on the other side. This is something that I often think about but I do not really read a lot about. I believe that male involvement is crucial, and it feels really good to know a man who shares the belief, like what you just wrote in your blog!