Axes of Sexual Consent: Students’ Perceptions in the Shadows of Title IX

• In Event: Poster Session: American Politics Research & Ideas and Institutions in American Political Thought
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: American Politics Research

Abstract

Sexual violence remains ubiquitous despite efforts to mitigate it through federal regulations. An acute example is universities where rates of sexual violence persist despite evolving Title IX protections. I argue that varying understandings of consent are at the crux of this issue. I introduce a framework outlining assumptions embedded within consent legislation, educational programs, and advocacy efforts. While these ‘pillars of consent’ suggest a uniform understanding, I hypothesize significant variations in consent beliefs. I analyze survey data from 2,000 undergraduates to reveal a notable pattern: individuals with Republican affiliations and those holding system-justifying beliefs are more likely to have broader consent understandings. These individuals de-emphasize the need for affirmative agreement, the influence of power relationships, and risks to one’s capacity to consent. The findings illuminate how attitudes toward consent are shaped by entrenched societal norms and contemporary politics. Ultimately, sexual violence prevention requires recognizing the diversity in interpretations of consent.

Author

• Maya Novak-Herzog, Northwestern University