Reducing Sexual Assault on Campus: Lessons From the Movement to Prevent Drunk Driving
Abstract
I examined similarities and differences between the movement to prevent drunk driving of the 1980s, and current efforts to prevent and address campus sexual assault. As college and university administrators design policies and initiatives to reduce campus sexual assault in response to new federal legislation and regulation, they can apply lessons from successful public health initiatives to reduce drunk driving initiated more than 3 decades ago. I illustrate how interventions at the 5 levels of the social–ecological model, and messages that address entrenched cultural attitudes condoning sexual assault and blaming its victims can be used to combat campus sexual assault as a crime and a public health problem. I also show how efforts to promote community engagement can change behavioral norms and reduce offenses.
Publication Date
5-1-2016
Journal Title
American Journal of Public Health
Publisher
American Public Health Association
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Potter SJ. (2016). Reducing Sexual Assault on Campus: Lessons from the Movement to Prevent Drunk Driving. American Journal of Public Health, 106:822-829.