Peer education course addressing sexual assault and rape prevention

Women have shown that they are more fearful of rape than any other crime, including murder (Hickman & Muehlenhard, 1997). Twenty percent of college women reported being victims of sexual assault, with nearly one fourth of college women being victims of attempted rape or rape (Loh, Gidycz, Lobo, & Luthra, 2005). These statics demonstrate the need for sexual assault and rape prevention and support education on college campuses.Most educational rape awareness programs have sought to change the attitudes of participants or help them gain a sense of control over the fear of being raped. The programs can also help dispel rape myths that are commonly held by students. Rape myths functioned to blame the victim and lessen the actions of the perpetrator (Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1995). Many state statutes and societal attitudes were based on rape myths that are prevalent in American society. Rape myths were pervasive in creating a societal thought that women who are raped caused the rape based on their actions.A peer education program that focuses on deconstructing rape myths creates a support system for rape and sexual assault survivors in which they can feel they can feel safe. Students who learn about the rape myths are more likely to take steps to prevent sexual assault or rape from occurring in their lives. Lonsway and Kothari (2000) asserted that peer lead programs could be effective if the peers were well trained.Department of Educational LeadershipThesis (M.A.