Addressing Misperceptions and Inaction in Sexual Assault Prevention

Decades ago, as an undergraduate, I attended a dorm presentation on the significance of sexual consent. Workshop leaders clarified that if a partner said “no” or “stop” and the sexual activity continued, it was considered rape. During the session, a well-known athlete expressed disbelief by stating, “That can’t be right. By that definition, everyone I’ve ever had sex with I’ve raped.” His comment horrified me, though it amused many others. He seemed to think his view was normal.

This memory resurfaced when reports emerged about an alleged sexual assault by fraternity members at Cornell University. I’m a social psychologist who wrote a book on why seemingly good people often stay silent in response to troubling actions. At Cornell, the concerning fact was that over 50 men learned about the assault through a group chat. Publicly, none intervened or informed authorities. Such inaction is common. In about one-third of sexual assaults, a witness could intervene but chooses not to.

Misperceptions Among Peers

Research shows that a small percentage of men commit sexual assault. Studies estimate that 6.5% of male college students in North America admit to such actions. Unfortunately, many men find sexual violence offensive but mistakenly believe others don’t. One study asked college men about rape myths, like “If a girl doesn’t physically fight back, you can’t say it was rape.” Men believed their friends and peers supported these myths more than they did themselves.

This skewed perception lowers the likelihood of intervention. Beliefs about peers’ attitudes strongly influence whether someone will stop inappropriate behavior, even more than personal beliefs about sexual aggression.

Challenges to Correcting Misconceptions

Men may not challenge sexual aggression due to fear of ridicule or appearing weak. Those who commit assaults overestimate peer support for their behaviors. This perception allows them to openly discuss inappropriate actions, misleading others to believe that sexual violence is more common and accepted than it truly is.

Correcting Social Norms

The key isn’t changing social norms but recognizing them as they are. Programs that address rape myths, emphasize consent, and correct misperceptions help reduce sexual aggression. Male students who engage in such programs report lower aggression levels months later.

These courses influence behavior by providing accurate information about peers’ beliefs, encouraging interventions, and possibly shifting intentions of those at risk of committing aggression. Male bonding often pressures individuals to ignore peers’ misbehavior. Reframing loyalty from silence to vigilance can strengthen group dynamics. As one college athlete indicated, looking out for teammates can prevent negative outcomes, like losing a scholarship.

Learning Intervention Strategies

Effective sexual assault prevention includes learning specific intervention techniques. Bystander intervention programs stress stopping inappropriate behavior early, equip participants with intervention skills, and emphasize collective responsibility. Those who complete such programs feel more capable and ready to act. These universities report significant declines in sexual violence.

A study highlighted an 11% reduction in sexual harassment and stalking rates and a 17% decrease in unwanted sexual encounters with incapacitated individuals on campuses with intervention programs.

While it’s tempting to view Cornell’s case as an isolated college issue, societal misperceptions and inaction pervade many settings. Recognizing the psychological factors that cause these misunderstandings and learning intervention strategies can reduce such incidents.

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