The Crisis of Campus Sexual Violence: Critical Perspectives on Prevention and Response by Sara C. Wooten, and Roland W. Mitchell

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Crisis of Campus Sexual Violence: Critical Perspectives on Prevention and Response by Sara C. Wooten, and Roland W. Mitchell Ashley Tull The Crisis of Campus Sexual Violence: Critical Perspectives on Prevention and Response Sara C. Wooten and Roland W. Mitchell New York, NY: Routledge, 2015, 204 pages, $47.95 (softcover) Book editors Sara Carrigan Wooten and Roland W. Mitchell assembled The Crisis of Campus Sexual Violence: Critical Perspectives on Prevention and Response with scholars, administrators, and policymakers in mind. The book begins with an introduction section (chapter 1) in which the editors outline the four sections of the book, each addressing a particular angle of the crisis of campus sexual violence. These include: sexual violence in higher education; publicity, strategy, and response; addressing institutional culture; and a critical approach to sexual violence prevention and response. Each section includes chapters by contributors who represent each of the audiences outlined above. Part 1, Constructions of Sexual Violence in Higher Education, includes two chapters. Chapter 2, “A Policy Discourse Analysis of Sexual Assault Policies in Higher Education” by Susan V. Iverson, addresses a study that was conducted by the author on how policies are developed and communicated to constituents on college and university campuses. Chapter 3, “Heterosexist Discourse: How Feminist Theory Shaped Campus Sexual Violence Policy” by Wooten, addresses how feminist theory, gender, and heterosexism are examined in the discourse on campaigns to end campus sexual violence. Part 2, Power and Reputation in Institutional Decision Making, includes two chapters. Chapter 4, “Combating Sexual Violence in the Ivy League: Reflections on Politics, Pain and Progress” by Susan Marine, outlines the history of sexual assaults in Ivy League institutions and shares personal insights gained as a program coordinator for sexual abuse awareness at Dartmouth College. Chapter 5, “Athletes, Sexual Assault, and Universities’ Failure to Address Rape-Prone Subcultures on Campus” by Todd W. Crosset, addresses holding athletes accountable for criminal behavior while outlining cultural aspects that contribute to the problem. Some of these include rape prone subcultures, lack of peer support, and sex segregation and male privilege. Part 3, Federal Policy and Institutional Compliance, includes three chapters. Chapter 6, “Looking Beyond the Numbers: Understanding the Jeanne Clery Act and Sexual Violence” by Alison Kiss and Kiersten N. Feeney White, addresses the Clery Act and Title IX (and their intersections), and provides recommendations for compliance and ethical commitment for the purpose of developing greater care with regard to these policies. Chapter 7, “Complying With Title IX by Unifying All Civil Rights-Based Policies and Procedures” by Brett A. Sokolow, Saundra K. Schuster, W. Scott Lewis, and Daniel C. Swanton, addresses civil rights as they relate to reporting processes for Title IX complaints in postsecondary education. Chapter 8, “Title IX’s Civil Rights Approach and the Criminal Justice System: Enabling Separate but Coordinated Parallel Proceedings” by Nancy Chi Cantalupo, addresses adjudication processes that exist for cases related to Title IX. Differences are outlined between criminal, civil, and educational related policies and procedures and their resulting sanctions. [End Page 477] Part 4, The Possibilities of Programmatic Solutions, includes two chapters. Chapter 9, “Comprehensive College- or University-Based Sexual Violence Prevention and Direct Services Program: A Framework” by Traci Thomas-Card and Katie Eichele, provides a legislative summary of major acts related to sexual violence. The authors then continue with specific recommendations for the development of policies, programs and services to be offered at the institutional level. Chapter10, “Mandatory Bystander Intervention Training: Is the SaVE Act Requirement the ‘Right’ Program to Reduce Violence Among College Students?” by Caitlin B. Henriksen, Kelsey L. Mattick, and Bonnie S. Fisher provides a through overview of campus bystander intervention programs, their practices and their ability to modify attitudes and behaviors to reduce the occurrence of sexual violence on college and university campuses. An Afterward titled “Questioning the Scripts of Sexual Misconduct,” by Rebecca Ropers-Huilman, Karen M. Williamson, and Garrett Drew Hoffman was included at the end of the book. Its authors make significant connections between content presented throughout the work. Important questions are raised for all constituents involved in the crisis of campus sexual violence. These are intended to contribute to the discourse on the topic to best lead...