Affirmative Consent on campus: student understanding, perceptions of effectiveness, and behavioral change

Abstract

ABSTRACT Affirmative Consent (AC) policies have become a popular way for universities across the US to address the issue of sexual assault on campus. This study utilizes a sample of over 1400 university students to address student self-identified understanding of AC, perceptions of AC policy effectiveness at decreasing sexual assaults on campus, and self-reported behavior change. Results show that about 80% of the sample reported understanding AC, a slight majority of the sample (53%) believed AC policies were effective, and only 20.5% of respondents reported changing their own behavior as a result of AC policies. Exposure to AC through professors or administrators increased AC understanding and perceptions of effectiveness. Knowing others who changed their own behavior was significantly related to understanding of AC, perceived effectiveness of AC, and personal self-reported behavior change. Additionally, issue salience as measured through self-reported concern about sexual assault on campus and self-reported fear of sexual assault on campus was related to perceived effectiveness and self-reported behavior change. Multivariate analyses explored these issues further and raise questions of the ability of these policies alone to combat sexual assault on campus.