An Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes About Sexual Assault Occurrence and Prevention Among Former Intercollegiate Athletes
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
An Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes About Sexual Assault Occurrence and Prevention Among Former Intercollegiate Athletes Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Kristy Lee McCray, M.Ed. Graduate Program in Kinesiology The Ohio State University 2015 Dissertation Committee: Dr. Donna L. Pastore, Advisor Dr. Susan L. Sutherland Dr. Brian A. Turner Copyrighted by Kristy Lee McCray 2015 Abstract The 1990s saw the development of research on sexual assault perpetrated by intercollegiate student-athletes, though empirical results were mixed and subject to criticisms from the field. Research on sexual assault in college athletics stagnated during the last 15 years, despite the fact that this time period has evidenced multiple high- profile, even fatal, cases of violence against women at the hands of male student-athletes. These events and others prompted the Office of Civil Rights to call upon universities to more appropriately investigate and sanction perpetrators of sexual assault. In April 2011, using Title IX as an imperative, the Office for Civil Rights issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” (DCL) as a call for universities to more swiftly and adequately address incidences of sexual assault by students. In the wake of the DCL, universities must have a fuller picture not only of student sexual assault in general but also of student-athlete involvement as they begin implementing or revamping programs to reduce sexual assault on campus. Due to the lack of current research, and considering past criticisms on methodology and theoretic frameworks, it is imperative to study the nature of sexual assault within intercollegiate athletics to adequately address the problem. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which former student-athletes understand sexual assault, as well as their perceptions of their athletic department’s ii response to occurrences and prevention. Drawing upon a grounded theory methodology, one goal of this research was to learn more about what student-athletes know sexual assault to be, so that practitioners and researchers alike can work toward creating and implementing more effective programs, ultimately leading to sexual assault-free college sports. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 15 former intercollegiate student-athletes from big-time athletics departments. Findings indicated three major themes: (1) Participant Knowledge of Sexual Assault; (2) Sexual Assault Within the Context of College Athletics; and (3) Creating Change in Athletic Department Culture, leading the creation of the Sexual Assault Prevention Paradigm for Athletic Departments. Relevant implications for athletic departments and universities are presented, including the curriculum for a model sexual assault prevention education program, A Zero Tolerance Approach: Sexual Assault Prevention Education for Student-Athletes (SAPES). Future research involves learning more about the nature of sexual assault within athletics, as well as testing the paradigm model and model education program. iii Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to the 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men who experience sexual assault on college campuses. It is also dedicated to those who work tirelessly to prevent sexual assault and provide support to survivors. iv Acknowledgements First, I would like to acknowledge my committee members, Dr. Sue Sutherland and Dr. Brian Turner. This dissertation is far more methodologically sound and expansive due to their wisdom and instruction. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Patti Lather, whose qualitative expertise was a constant presence throughout the design and execution of this study. Most importantly, Dr. Donna Pastore, my advisor, is the reason I am here today, completing a dissertation and a doctoral program in three years. Thank you for taking a chance on this California girl and turning her into Dr. McCray. Your mentorship, support, and guidance are immeasurable and I am so very grateful that I ended up at THE Ohio State University with a former Trojan. J Second, I would like to acknowledge the professionals working in the fields of sexual assault support services and prevention education. To my former co-workers at SARP and the current staff at SVES, thank you for all the information and advice you provided as I worked on this dissertation. An especially hearty thanks to Lisa Nosal, who provided thorough proofreading and editorial feedback on the content of my dissertation. Third, I would like to acknowledge the cadre of cheerleaders who have supported me near and far: Robin McCray Goodman, Alyssa Ward, Lauren Kleinman, and Rosalie Siler. Your support is matched only by that of my family. To my sister and brother-in- law, Kelly and Mitch Rufca, thanks for your humor and infusion of fun into everything v we do. To my parents, Kenny and Laurie McCray, thank you for the unconditional love and support you’ve shown me. I would not be here today without the work ethic, perseverance (stubbornness? J), and love for reading you instilled in me at a very young age. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my biggest cheerleader, teammate, and life partner, Dr. Heather Kelly-Marie Bartlett. Thanks for being on Team McCray for the last nine months. I know that supporting me through this dissertation process was not an easy task, but you made it look effortless. Your love knows no boundaries and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for us as Dr. & Dr. I love you. vi Vita July 27, 1980 ..................................................Born, Covina, CA 2002................................................................B.A., Political Science and Print Journalism University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 2007................................................................M.Ed., Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 2007 to 2010 ..................................................Athletic Academic Advisor California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 2010 to 2012 ..................................................Executive Director Sexual Assault Recovery & Prevention Center of San Luis Obispo, CA 2012 to present ...............................................Graduate Teaching Associate, Department of Human Sciences The Ohio State University Columbus, OH vii Publications McCray, K. (2015). Sexual Minorities in Sports (Book Review). Journal of Sport Management, 29(1), 124-125. McCray, K. L. (2015). Sport and Its Female Fans (Book Review). Sport Management Review. Advance online publication. doi:10.1016/j.smr.2015.04.003 McCray, K. (2014). Intercollegiate athletes and sexual violence: A review of literature and recommendations for future study. Trauma, Violence & Abuse. Advance online publication. doi:10.1177/1524838014537907 Fields of Study Major Field: Kinesiology College of Education and Human Ecology Department of Human Sciences Degree Emphasis: Sport Management viii Table of Contents Abstract ..........................................................................................................ii Dedication ......................................................................................................iv Acknowledgements ........................................................................................v Vita .................................................................................................................vii List of Tables .................................................................................................xv List of Figures ................................................................................................xvi Chapter One: Introduction .............................................................................1 Background ...............................................................................................2 Rationale ...................................................................................................4 Purpose ......................................................................................................8 Research Problem .....................................................................................9 Research Questions ...................................................................................10 Key Terms .................................................................................................10 Overview of Remaining Chapters .............................................................14 Chapter Two: Literature Review ...................................................................16 Rape Culture .............................................................................................16 Hypermasculinity ......................................................................................19 Sexual Assault on College Campuses .......................................................22 ix Victimization ........................................................................................22 Perpetration ..........................................................................................23 Sexual Assault in College Athletics ..........................................................24 Male Student-Athletes and Violence Against Women ........................24 Criticisms and Gaps in the Literature ..................................................29 Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts ............................................................30