Brittany Kurtz Source 2

A. What roles do the university as an institution play in regard to sexual assault?
B. Parnitzke Smith, Carly, and Jennifer J. Freyd. "Dangerous Safe Havens: Institutional Betrayal Exacerbates Sexual Trauma." Wiley Online Library. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16 Feb. 2013. Web.

        This article explored one of the roles that the university plays as far as sexual assault is concerned. The contributors explain how trauma resulting from interpersonal abuse (including sexual harassment, and assault) has been shown to often produce far more severe and long-lasting damage to the health and disposition of victims. They go on to state that institutions often cultivate interpersonal relationships that build on promises of trust, care, and safety to those involved. These interpersonal relationships are often very similar to those involving partners, relatives, and close friends; therefore, so are their consequences when those promises of well-being are disturbed.This is termed "institutional betrayal" and especially relevant to students who are assaulted on campus property (for example, residence halls), assaulted while participating in Greek Life, or assaulted by students or professors of the university in question. Institutions discussed in the article are notably those residing at the military and university level. The women surveyed and involved in this study belong to a northwestern university, making the information gathered pertinent.

        I thought it was interesting to explore the role of the university through this perspective: as having the same interpersonal role as close loved ones. In the sense of sexual assault, however, this makes perfect sense. It is, after all, the university extends to its students the opportunity for living/ working conditions that should, in theory, be of an appropriate nature; I don't think it's unreasonable for that nature to entail reasonable protection from violent crimes, especially of this magnitude. This is particularly true for students who live in residence halls of the university. Any sort of sexual violence is a crime that involves cruelty against one of the most private and sacred parts of human nature: the self. The trauma experienced in this sort of crime is magnified when it is committed in the midst of perceived trust, whether trust from a partner or friend, or from a university. Both promise commitment and safety.

        I want to further explore the role of the university in relation to sexual assault. I hope to find more information on the role of sexual education in sexual assault prevention. In the meantime, I thought that this was a good piece to help me more profoundly understand how universities impact assault on college campuses.