The safety of students is a top priority that should be maintained by schools all over the nation. One of the biggest threats a student faces is sexual assault, and some schools are trying to combat this with the institution of sexual assault training.
Sexual assault training should not be mandatory if the method of training is ineffective.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 20% – 25% of college women and 15% of college men are victims of forced sex during their time in college.
There is a web-based sexual assault prevention and alcohol awareness program called “Think About It by Campus Clarity.” College campuses nationwide have implemented the program, but it seems to be a Band-Aid solution to a much bigger problem.
According to The Temple News at Temple University, it is required for incoming freshmen to complete the hour-long, online course. With no surprise, the overall results did not come out to be very promising.
Temple University implemented the program prior to the fall semester of 2013, and within the first month, there were five sex-related crimes reported around campus. According to The Temple News, this was a comparatively large number for a single month.
Sexual assault is serious, and the solution to this problem isn’t an online training module. Despite the emergence of online learning, studies have proven that students prefer the classroom learning environment.
In a national research study done by a consulting firm, Millennial Branding, 78% of more than 1,000 students still prefer a classroom, learning environment.
How can we expect incoming students and faculty at college campuses to learn about sexual assault when the training itself is not hands-on? This issue is being treated as if it’s an online homework assignment.
Instead of a quick online course, there should be mandatory annual interactive meetings where students talk to real sexual assault survivors and advocates as well as self-defense seminars.
Simply completing an online course does not help prevent assault. In order to protect students, further action must be completed.
