What is Rape Myths

Most educators are aware of the statistics about the prevalence of campus sexual assault and rape. While the focus is usually on remedies many educators fail to see the connection between psychological ramifications, grade deflation and college non-completion as some of the possible outcomes. The authors suggest that educators, administrators and strategic leadership need to understand how Social Norms Theory, sports, and rape culture play into the prevalence of campus sexual assault and rape on students' ability to thrive in college and complete and the need to adopt a proactive stance whereby they can help to offset the gloomy statistics in campus sexual assault and rape. This chapter will also focus on the legal and risk management impact of neglecting to establish and/or non-enforcement of policies to both prevent and address campus sexual assault and rape. Many educators and administrators fail to understand the potential costs of Title IX Violations and benefits to colleges and universities from the Violence Against Women laws, especially the Amended Clery Act. Lastly, recommendations are forthcoming in helping leaders and risk management employees be proactive and strategically plan to reduce the occurrences of campus sexual assault and rapes.