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Abstract: 

Educational institutions arguably are well positioned to disseminate information to young adults on their campuses that guide their decision making. But the topics for which young people seem to need the most guidance are outside traditional academic areas—e.g., health- and self-care; risks and effects of recreational drugs—and many are relatively new to the broader culture—e.g., understanding non-binary sexual identities, balancing free speech and respectful disagreement, etc. Chief among these high-demand concerns is the problem of sexual assault. In a broad-ranging analysis, this article examines the challenges facing institutions of higher education in establishing fair standards for discussion and debate, conduct, conflict resolution, and responses to the range of misconduct that occurs on college campuses. Sidebars include “’Awareness and Action’ Initiatives to Advance Women’s Issues” and “Campus Sexual Assault Counselor Confidentiality Protected in California.”

Keywords: Explicit Consent; Affirmative Consent; Respect for Personal Boundaries; Sexual Assaults on Campus by Force or Incapacitation; Rape Myths

Affiliations:  1: John Jay College of Criminal Justice.