Prevention of Sexual Misconduct on University Campuses (2018-2019)

Sexual misconduct is disturbingly common in society, including on university campuses. Training programs are used by virtually all organizations and workplaces, including universities, to combat sexual misconduct; however little research has attempted to examine these trainings and interventions, leaving us with scant knowledge as to which training method and/or content may be effective in addressing this issue.

This project team was designed to summarize the problems and best practices in sexual harassment intervention and training by conducting a review of the literature and identifying current best practices; examine the potential role of courage and self-awareness in incidents of sexual harassment, as well as the ways these characteristics could be developed in individuals and incorporated into interventions including training; and develop designs that utilize these insights.

In the first year of this two-year project, team members conducted reviews of the relevant literature about scientific and practical insights regarding potential interventions and met with scholars and practitioners at Duke and other institutions. The team also created and distributed postcards and flyers around Duke’s campus in an effort to disseminate sexual misconduct data from the 2018 Duke Student Experiences Survey.

Team members also conducted undergraduate focus groups to gather information on students’ experiences and perceptions of sexual misconduct on campus. In 2019-2020, the team will analyze this data and communicate the results in oral and written presentations to university administration and other organizations or HR departments.

The ultimate aim of the project is to better understand the causes of sexual misconduct (both at the individual and institutional levels) and devise novel preventions and best practices that can be implemented at Duke and shared with other universities.

Timing

Fall 2018 – Spring 2019

Team Outputs

Prevention of Sexual Misconduct on University Campuses (poster by Suzanne Shanahan, Sim Sitkin, Moran Anisman-Razin, Adam Stanaland, Carolyn Bell, Elisabeth Collins, Alexandra Davis, Ryan Geitner, Carly Levi, Sonali Mehta, Nicoly Santos, presented at Bass Connections Showcase, Duke University, April 17, 2019)

Reflections

Adam Stanaland

This Team in the News

Meet the Members of the 2021-2022 Bass Connections Student Advisory Council

2020 Pathways of Change Fellows Announced

Can Mary Pat McMahon Unite a Campus Divided on Gender Violence Prevention?

Duke One Team Collaboration: Preventing Sexual Misconduct on Campus

Join the Team! One Team and Team Kenan Couch on Sexual Respect

Bass Connections Team Focuses on Sexual Misconduct

See related team, Prevention of Sexual Misconduct on University Campuses: Intervention, Implementation and Evaluation (2019-2020).

Unwanted physical contact

Team Leaders

  • Suzanne Shanahan, Kenan Institute for Ethics|Arts & Sciences-Sociology
  • Sim Sitkin, Fuqua School of Business

/graduate Team Members

  • Adam Stanaland, Psychology-AM, Psychology-PHD

/undergraduate Team Members

  • Carolyn Bell, Neuroscience (BS)
  • Elisabeth Collins, Psychology (AB)
  • Alexandra Davis, Psychology (AB)
  • Ryan Geitner, Political Science (AB)
  • Carly Levi, Computer Science (BS)
  • Sonali Mehta, Public Policy Studies (AB)
  • Nicoly Santos, Psychology (AB)

/yfaculty/staff Team Members

  • Moran Anisman Razin, Kenan Institute for Ethics