Reducing Alcohol-Involved Sexual Assault Through Integrated Prevention Education at University of Oregon

Abstract

This paper examines the existing prevention education at the University of Oregon and how it can better prevent alcohol-involved sexual violence through comprehensive and integrated education surrounding substance abuse and misuse. Through a literature review and interview with the Director of Prevention Services and Substance Abuse Prevention Education (SAPE) Coordinator at the University of Oregon this paper identifies several areas in prevention education that could be improved. High-risk drinking behaviors among college students increases the risk for sexual violence, thus requiring a more coordinated and integrated approach to prevention education. In addition to the existing educational intervention for incoming students, I recommend that two other events receive targeted educational intervention due to increases in alcohol use: the transition between on-campus and off-campus living and students’ 21st birthdays. Second, I suggest a period of reflection for personal normative feedback on individual alcohol consumption and beliefs about consent and gender norms. This must be followed by guided discussion that could decrease high-risk drinking behavior and rape myth. Third, I recommend empathy interventions to discuss how rape myths and hypermasculinity can decrease barriers to action in bystander interventions. Finally, I find that employing harm reduction strategies already used in substance abuse prevention could be applied to sexual violence prevention by promoting sexual assertiveness. These additional interventions could help reduce sexual violence and alcohol consumption at the University of Oregon.