“I Fear I’m a Checkbox”: College and University Victim Advocates’ Perspectives of Campus Rape Reforms

• Published in: Violence against women Vol. 23; no. 9; pp. 1122 - 1139
• Main Author: Moylan, Carrie A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.08.2017; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adult; Compliance; Crime Victims - legislation & jurisprudence; Crime Victims - psychology; Female; Humans; Interviews as Topic - methods; Law Enforcement - methods; Liability; Motivation; Patient Advocacy - legislation & jurisprudence; Patient Advocacy - statistics & numerical data; Policy implementation; Policy making; Qualitative Research; Rape; Rape - legislation & jurisprudence; Rape - psychology; Reforms; Sex crimes; Specialists; Universities - organization & administration; Universities - statistics & numerical data; Victims; Victims of crime; rape; sexual assault; campus
• ISSN: 1077-8012; 1552-8448
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801216655623

This study explores campus-based victim advocates’ perspectives on the process of implementing campus rape reforms mandated by federal policy. Interviews with 14 victim advocates and sexual assault prevention specialists were analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis techniques. Participants described an increased focus on compliance as a means of managing the liability risks associated with inadequate policy implementation. These shifts toward compliance not only increased the motivation to accomplish reform but also limited those reforms by narrowing the focus. Participants described how narrow compliance resulted in decisions that may actually harm victims. Suggestions for improving policy and the implementation process are discussed.