Discipline is not Prevention: Transforming the Cultural Foundations of Campus Rape Culture

Abstract

Since the 2011 “Dear Colleague” letter from the Obama administration transformed understanding of Title IX, universities have sought to respond to develop disciplinary procedures for cases of sexual assault and programming to educate students about sexual violence. However, these efforts have been unable to prevent sexual assault on campus. Instead, a robust understanding of the moral responsibility of universities, in particular Catholic universities, must look to the cultural factors that foster participation in the hookup and party culture that constitutes campus rape culture, as well as the features within this culture that gives rise to sexual assault.