“Wrong Problem, Wrong Solutions”: Sexual Violence, Neoliberal Universities, and the Affects of Institutional Betrayal By
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
“Wrong Problem, Wrong Solutions”: Sexual Violence, Neoliberal Universities, and the Affects of Institutional Betrayal by Paige Gorsak A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Gender and Social Justice Studies Department of Women’s and Gender Studies University of Alberta © Paige Gorsak, 2019 !ii Abstract This thesis explores the affective and political currents of campus rape culture. Paying particular attention to neoliberalism’s transformation of Canadian higher education in recent decades, the author describes a “marketized” campus environment in which school reputation is frequently prioritized above student well-being, as disclosures of sexual violence impact university’s standing and enrolment. The author additionally describes how neoliberal discourses of risk and responsibility serve to download the responsibility for social harms from institutions to individuals. Thus, in the case of campus sexual assault, students bear the burden of preventing and managing the aftermath of violence, in a setting where their disclosures may be denied or ignored. Drawing on the lived experiences of student victims/ survivors who sought support from their universities, the project examines how institutional betrayal comes to bear on their lives and bodies. Institutional betrayal refers to the harm a trusted institution causes to the student, over and above their initial experiences of violence. This project’s participants describe campus cultures in which sexual violence was normalized or ignored; school staff and services that blamed or punished whistleblowers; and institutional policies and practices that caused lasting emotional harm. The author argues that Canadian higher educational institutions offer harmful “solutions” to victim/survivors, in part because of their ahistorical and apolitical conception of the problem of sexual violence, and in part because of the market orientation of the higher education “industry.” Bringing survivor testimony into conversation with feminist political theory and theories of affect, the author argues that institutional betrayal and neoliberal rape culture are affective phenomena, with social, psychic, and embodied components.! !iii Preface This thesis is an original work by Paige Gorsak. The research project, of which this thesis is a part, received research ethics approval from the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board, Project Name “Investigating Campus Sexual Assault: Survivor Experiences of University Policies and Reporting Procedures," No. 00074439, 20 Apr. 2018. !iv Acknowledgements This thesis has been a labour of love: exhilarating, exhausting, and inspiring. I owe my deepest gratitude to all those who expanded my capacity to complete this project. This includes the beautiful territory that has nourished me, both during and beyond this process; and the Indigenous peoples who’ve cared for this land since time immemorial and to whom it will be returned. Next, to each of my participants: Thank you. Your stories are the reason this project exists, and I’m so honoured to share them as part of my research. Thank you for your trust and your insights, and for all the ways you are making change in the world. To my supervisor, Dr. Lise Gotell. Even before this degree, I was inspired by your dedication to both incisive research and justice in the community. I’m so grateful to have you as a mentor, and so thankful for your encouragement and attentive feedback throughout this program. I’m also grateful for your patience (and support!) as I balanced graduate research with community organizing/running for office/a lot of other things I probably should have set aside these past three years. Thank you to my supervisory committee: Dr. Chloë Taylor and Dr. Julie Rak. Chloë, I’m so grateful to you for everything over the last several years, whether it was brainstorming ideas over coffee, giving detailed feedback on my writing and award submissions, or providing opportunities to enrich my scholarship and community involvement. Julie, it’s been a privilege to meet and work with you. I’m deeply grateful for your thoughtful reflection on my research, engaging questions in my defence, and your deep commitment to feminist anti- violence scholarship across disciplines, both within and outside of academia. To the friends who’ve brought joy, snark, and brilliance into my life during this degree and beyond. Gabs and Stefan, I’ll never forget the laughs, tears, horoscope readings, and beers. To my organizing soul-mates: Emma, Bronwen, Gabrielle and Farid, thanks for the big love, big inspiration, and BIG proof of the change a dirtbag crew can make in a few short weeks. Sharon, Kelly, Kristen, and all the other sweet pals, near and far: thank you for listening to me ramble, for your patience when I was/am/will be late, and for always believing in my ability to do the damn thing. Gosh, wow, I love you. To my family: Mom, Dad, Simon, Sash, Sasha, and Mr. Baby. Thank you for always being there for me, whether I needed a hug, a passport rushed to the airport, a cozy meal, a vote in an election, or an earful of encouragement. You are my foundation. Last, but not least (and probably the most): thank you to Jordan. From the start of this adventure to the very end, you have been with me. Your love, late night snacks, boundless creativity, cat dancing, and sense of humour have kept me afloat down this winding river. I can’t wait for the adventures to come. !v Table of Contents Abstract .....................................................................................................................................ii Preface .....................................................................................................................................iii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................iv Chapter 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................1 1.1 Theorizing Affect ........................................................................................................4 1.2 Theorizing Neoliberalism ...........................................................................................9 1.3 Research Methodology: Affect, Interviews, and Grounded Theory .........................14 1.4 Position .....................................................................................................................21 1.5 Research Participant Descriptions ............................................................................23 1.5.1 Chandra .............................................................................................................23 1.5.2 Robyn ................................................................................................................24 1.5.3 Katie ..................................................................................................................26 1.5.4 Anna ..................................................................................................................27 1.5.5 Kennedy ............................................................................................................28 1.5.6 Alex ...................................................................................................................29 1.6 Chapter Summaries ...................................................................................................30 Chapter 2: The Economization of Campus Sexual Violence ..................................................31 2.1 Neoliberal Universities .............................................................................................32 2.2 Neoliberal Rape Culture ...........................................................................................38 2.3 Neoliberal Campus Rape Culture .............................................................................44 Chapter 3: Institutional Betrayal .............................................................................................51 3.1 Betrayal .....................................................................................................................51 3.2 Affect and Betrayal ...................................................................................................62 3.3 Indicators of Betrayal ................................................................................................73 Chapter 4: Wrong Problem, Wrong Solutions ........................................................................90 4.1 Policy and Discourse ................................................................................................94 4.2 Trauma-Informed Practice and Social Justice Framings ........................................104 4.3 Criminal Justice-Inspired Approaches ....................................................................117 4.4 A Reason to Engage ................................................................................................136 Chapter 5: Conclusion ..........................................................................................................152 Works Cited ..........................................................................................................................167 !vi “Oppression leaves its traces not just in people’s minds " but in their muscles and skeletons as well.” — Brian Fay, Critical Social Science! !1 Chapter 1: Introduction Feminism often