Ashleigh Gordon
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Anna K Wood she-they
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: School of Social Work and Sociology Department / Social Work
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 2 – 11am – 11:50am
Room: League Ballroom
Authors:
Presenter: 116
Abstract
The portrayal of sexual assault on college campuses has changed greatly over the past few decades. This study follows a qualitative approach to the topic through the coding of nearly 200 press releases from various institutions, divided into two ranges: 2006 to 2010 and 2012 to 2016. The reasoning for this divide comes from varying factors, such as Duke’s lacrosse scandal and the shift to the Obama Administration policies for addressing campus sexual assault. An analysis of these statements revealed the many facets of sexual assault allegations and punishment, including the manner by which schools changed the way they presented the problem and thereafter their approach to a solution. Though intensive research, the pattern of the criminalization of sexual assault proves to be more prevalent in later years. This study follows what universities choose to reveal and how universities react to national changes in sexual assault allegations.
Interdisciplinary, Social Sciences
