258278 Effective Sexual Assault Prevention on College Campuses in Ohio and Kentucky: A Policy Analysis and Recommendations for Best Practices

Monday, October 29, 2012

Molly McKinney, MA, ABD , Health Promotion and Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
Stephany Whitaker, BA , Health Promotion and Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
Cassandra Harper, BA , Health Promotion and Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
Robert Braun, PhD, MPH, CHES , Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Otterbein University, Westerville, OH
Sexual assault is a significant problem on university campuses across the country. Estimates of sexual predation on college campuses range from 20-25% of women experiencing an attempted or completed assault. That equates to 1 in 4 female college students being sexually assaulted during their educational career. Due to these alarming statistics a review was undertaken of campus sexual assault policies and procedures at public four-year institutions in the states of Ohio and Kentucky. Primary data collection occurred using the internet and telephone contact with universities that did not have readily available information. Through this our research team created categories of various policies. These policies were then compared to best practices for campus sexual assault policies as identified by ACHA. The presentation will highlight the variations in sexual assault policy by university and will discuss the importance of modifying existing sexual assault policies to better prevent sexual assault and to better provide follow-up services to survivors.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
1. Assess existing campus sexual assault policies based on American College Health Association (ACHA) accepted best practices. 2. Describe a comprehensive campus sexual assault policy

Keywords: Sexual Assault, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have done extensive research on sexual assault prevention as part of my doctoral dissertation. I have presented information regarding sexual assault prevention at state-level conferences.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.