Citation

Fabiano PM, Perkins HW, Berkowitz AD, Linkenbach J, Stark C. J. Am. Coll. Health 2003; 52(3): 105-112.

Affiliation

Prevention and Wellness Services, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9039, USA. Pat.Fabiano@wwu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14992295

Abstract

The field of sexual assault prevention is shifting

attention to educational interventions that address the role of men in ending

violence against women. Recent studies document the often-misperceived norms men

hold about other men's endorsement of rape-supportive attitudes and

behaviors. The authors provide further evidence supporting the design of

population-based social norms interventions to prevent sexual assault. Data from

this study suggest that men underestimate the importance that most men and women

place on consent and willingness of most men to intervene against sexual

violence. In addition, men's personal adherence to only consensual activity

and their willingness to act as women's allies are strongly influenced by

their perceptions of other men's and women's norms. These findings

support the proposition that accurate normative data, which counters the

misperception of rape-supportive environments, can be a critical part of

comprehensive campus efforts to catalyze and support men's development as

women's social justice allies in preventing sexual violence against

women.