Addressing alcohol’s role in campus sexual assault: Prevention educator perspectives

Abstract

Objective Alcohol use is implicated in 50 to 70% of campus sexual assaults (CSA). Despite research, practice, and policy guidance that campus prevention efforts should address alcohol’s role in CSA, there is limited guidance for prevention educators and administrators on how to actually do so. Participants: Campus-based sexual assault prevention educators (n = 23) were recruited between May and July 2017 from the Campus Advocacy and Prevention Professionals Association (CAPPA) listserv using purposive sampling. Methods: A qualitative study design using a critical feminist participatory action approach was used to conduct in-depth semi-structured phone interviews. Results: Participants described six key steps forward to address alcohol’s role in CSA (a) proactivity; (b) consistency; (c) nuance; (d) equity; and (e) authenticity. Conclusions: To address alcohol’s role in CSA, prevention educators need (a) concrete messaging, (b) evidence-based interventions, and (c) evaluation of campus culture change efforts.