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Proceedings of the annual meeting of the Southern Anthropological Society

Abstract

This study explores the persistent issue of campus sexual assault through an ethnographic lens, utilizing peer-led interviews conducted at a small liberal arts college. By focusing on three key themes—the interplay of alcohol, sex, and consent; peer responses to sexual assault accusations; and technology-facilitated sexual violence—the study offers a nuanced understanding of the normalization of sexual violence. Findings reveal that alcohol is frequently cited as a mitigating factor in assault narratives, perpetuating gendered power imbalances and undermining the effectiveness of consent education. Peer responses often rely on enduring rape myths, which reinforce victim-blaming and discourage reporting. Technology, while providing opportunities for sexual agency, is also weaponized to coerce and control, twisting online interactions into traps that justify sexual aggression. These findings, analyzed through a feminist framework, underscore the need for more effective education, policy reforms, and cultural shifts to address the entrenched dynamics of sexual violence on college campuses.

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