Campus Sexual Assault: All Male Organizations, Party Culture, and Rape Myths

Since college women are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, it is essential to understand the knowledge and beliefs that students have about sexual assault. Numerous studies explore how college students, particularly members of Greek life, exhibit harmful attitudes and behaviors that contribute to the alarming prevalence rates of Campus Sexual Assault (CSA). The purpose of this study was to examine the mutually reinforcing relationship between all-male organizations (i.e. Greek life), party culture (gendered social scripts, drinking, and hook-up culture), and rape myths. This study used a mixed-methods approach, including a survey and interviews. Survey results revealed that female students rejected rape myths and were more educated on effective consent compared to male students. Although members of Greek life drank significantly more than their non-affiliated counterparts, fraternity members were more likely to reject rape myths compared to non-affiliated men, suggesting that members of Greek life may have more experience with sexual assault awareness and education. Information from the interviews revealed important themes (e.g perceived prevalence rates and the power of fraternities) and captured nuances regarding subtle rape myths that are difficult to capture in a survey. The data from this study demonstrates the need to address problematic behaviors and beliefs of college students. Improvements to sexual assault education and further research regarding rape myths will help diminish rape-supportive attitudes, and subsequently decrease the prevalence of CSA