From The Conversation · Catherine A. Sanderson · · 1m 10s
Cornell rape case reveals bystander misperception
Men misperceive others' support for sexual violence, leading to inaction during assaults.
In brief
Men misperceive others' support for sexual violence, leading to inaction during assaults. Over 50 Cornell men learned about an alleged gang rape in real-time but failed to intervene due to mistaken beliefs about peer attitudes. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Cornell rape incident
Over 50 men reportedly learned about an alleged gang rape at Cornell University as it occurred.
Misperception of peer attitudes
Men believe others accept sexual violence when in reality most men oppose it.
Rape myth beliefs
Students think peers support myths like 'if a girl doesn't fight back, it's not rape'.
Intervention barriers
Men fear ridicule or appearing weak when speaking out against sexual violence.
Assumed support for assault
Men who commit assault believe peers support it more than they actually do.
Prevention programs
90-minute programs reduce sexual aggression by teaching consent and correcting misperceptions.
Intervention strategies
Bystander programs lower harassment by 11% and unwanted activity by 17% on campuses.
Real-world impact
Cornell men learned about assault but no one intervened due to misperceptions.
The one thing
Over 50 Cornell men learned about an alleged gang rape in real-time but failed to intervene due to mistaken beliefs about peer attitudes.
