How does student activism drive cultural campus change in the UK and US regarding sexual violence on campus?

Abstract

Using policy frameworks and author expertise to identify relevant literature, four academics and two student-activist-authors, critically review literature upon student activist responses to sexual violence on campus. We conclude, student activism is pivotal to campus cultural change. In the UK, we review how student activism challenges outdated policy; in the US, how this has elevated the issue to national policy agendas. We apply theoretical frameworks of policy windows, policy entrepreneurs, campus readiness models and embodied intersectional citizenship. This article recommends universities work collaboratively with student activists, rather than viewing collaboration as a reputational risk. Further, we recommend developing Campus Community Readiness Models to include measures of collaboration. We contend, student activism can incur costs. Connecting activists online may help manage the transience of student activism. Collaboration and connection with and between student activists may represent a cultural shift toward sustainability stages of readiness characterised by community ownership.

What is Currently Understood About the Impact of Sexual Violence Activism for Higher Education Student Sexual Violence Survivors?

“…A final way in which the literature surveyed showed that institutions were able to use their power to neutralise the actions of sexual violence activists is by ‘waiting out’ the problem (*Bovill et al, 2020; *Lewis & Marine, 2018). The research shows that many forms of sexual violence activism are short-lived, campaigns may have limited resources and institutions may be instrumental in restricting access to resources and making processes and access to expertise complex.…”

“One of the Weakest Budget Players in the State”: State Funding of Higher Education at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…With respect to political power, previous studies have shown that students can influence policy when they serve in positions of formal power ( Rall & Galan, 2022 ) and when they organize ( Bovill et al, 2021 ; Morgan & Davis, 2019 ; Rhoads, 2016 ). For example, the movement that led to President Biden’s executive action on student loan forgiveness suggests that students effectively exert political pressure on policymakers ( Krietzberg & Nova, 2022 ).…”

The social construction of sexual violence for female politicians

“…Both countries were chosen for comparison because they share a demographic environment that is similar in many respects. Collaboration between student activists and institutions could be a good step forward in terms of community consideration of responsibility for sexual violence prevention (Bovill et al 2021).…”