Rape Culture in Academic Environments and the Efficacy of Title IX Supports

Public project summary

Rape culture is an environment in which sexual violence is normalized and prominent, continuing to be a detrimental issue. Rape culture has become extremely common in academic settings and will continue as institutions fail to educate and support students on this issue. Subpar support has been a pervasive issue in schools as survivors of sexual misconduct have been blamed by peers and faculty for their experience far too often, creating an environment in which survivors do not report and perpetrators have no consequences. Title IX is the most common name for the federal civil rights law in the United States Education Amendments of 1972. This law prohibits sex-based discrimination, including sexual misconduct, in schools, local and state educational agencies, and other institutions that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education. Reports of sexual misconduct have been mishandled a shocking number of times, despite faculty having required training and processes to follow. Without proper Title IX compliance, education, and support for students, rape culture and sexual violence will continue to physically and mentally harm countless students. This research project will investigate how effective Title IX procedures are in a high school setting.