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Strategies for College Respondents

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR)
R1 2016-2017 $30,000

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape in Pittsburgh, PA examined current sanctioning practices for sexual misconduct on college campuses, reviewed best practices for sex offender treatment models, and developed and provided recommendations and training to assist universities in accessing a variety of accountability options.

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Strategies

  • Strengthen Policies

    Strengthen Policies

    PAAR assessed existing sanctioning models and practices with subject matter experts for model recommendations for university judiciary boards.

  • Enhance Partnerships

    Enhance Partnerships

    PAAR partnered with the Robert Morris University, University of Pittsburgh, Point Park University, and Dr. Coufal on this project. 

  • Provide Resources

    Provide Resources

    Model recommended sanctions include: 

    1) Revise videos for students that address misperceptions of consent, body language
    interpretation, communication and alcohol in relation to sexual violence

    2) Meet with counseling center for two mandated sessions on problematic behavior

    3) On-going sessions with counseling center as indicated by assessment

    4) Psycho-education program in group format for problematic behaviors

    5) Healthy relationship skill building workshop

    6) Potential modified restorative justice model

  • Measure Impact

    Measure Impact

    PAAR conducted an assessment of the universities to examine common themes of types of sexual offenses being committed on college campuses, as well as types of violations, offenders, victims, Title IX processes, existing interventions/sanctions, victims/remedies for victims, and follow-up post sanctions.

    Existing sanctions fall short of building skills with the likelihood to change behaviors and were most often either watch an online video or expulsion from school.

    Judicial board process/questioning to help determine potential future risk was enhanced through questions that were geared toward gauging attitude and behavior changes by respondents.

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