High-profile cases like that of former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston have brought a much-needed spotlight to campus rape. Some studies show that as many as one in four women have been sexually assaulted while in college. The White House is demanding that universities take action, and the Department of Education has threatened to withhold federal funding from those that do not adequately respond. Although everyone agrees that something must be done, figuring out what to do is difficult.
This program tackles arguably the most significant challenge facing universities today. The goal is not just to provide a critical overview of what is happening on campuses but also to offer guidance on what universities should be doing. Panelists will start at the most basic level by considering how rape and sexual assault should be defined. They will also address how campuses should adjudicate campus assault by critically examining the protections being provided and suggesting what is necessary to satisfy the demands of fairness and procedural due process. The panel will also consider alternatives to formal adjudication, including restorative justice.
Universities must do a better job of protecting their students, and this program will present research on risk factors for sexual assault and measures that have proven effective at countering them. It will also look critically at universities’ performances in investigating and adjudicating rape. Finally, the program will go to the front lines to hear from advocates who are fighting for the rights of victims and the accused.