1
Journal Analysis
Name
Institution
Course
Instructor’s Name
Due Date
2
Sexual Assault on Campus: Journal Analysis
Article Comparison
In their study, Moylan et al. (2019) examine the campus level factors influencing sexual
assault rates and partner violence among college students. The authors’ perspective on the topic
is that despite sexual assault (SA) and intimate partner violence being prevalent on campus, very
few studies have examined these phenomena. Women are usually more likely to be victims of
sexual assault, disproportionally perpetrated by men. Moylan et al. (2019) elaborate that factors
like alcohol policy, accessibility, and availability of resources linked to reporting SA and athlete
cultures that promote hyper-masculinity have made specific campuses report high cases of sexual
assault. The study findings are valid because the authors are credible professors from Michigan
State University and the University of Hawaii, hence they offer first-hand information. The
findings are also valid because the study offers statistical evidence to bolster its argument on the
prevalence of sexual assault on campus. For instance, the authors note that approximately 6
percent of male and 20 percent of female college students experience sexual assault regularly,
whereas 54 percent have reported intimate partner violence, including sexual, physical, and
psychological violence. The significance of Moylan et al.’s (2019) study is that it offers a
meaningful contribution to the growing body of research that attempts to examine campus-level
factors that influence the risk of sexual assault.
Potter et al. (2020), on the other hand, explore the challenges community college students
face regarding sexual assault compared to 4-year colleges and universities. Their view on the
topic is that while much effort has been dedicated to addressing and preventing sexual assault in
traditional 4-year colleges, little or no attention has been given to 2-year institutions/ community
colleges. The situational contexts that influence sexual assault in community colleges are
3
different from those that impact SA in 4-year colleges. Such differences include life phases,
student demographics, socioeconomic statuses, and living situations. Potter et al.’s (2020) study
findings are valid because the authors use evidence from different studies and previous research
to validate their claims. For instance, they cite the American College Counselling Association,
Bureau of Justice Statistics, and several other scholarly articles to show the difference between
the rates and prevalence of sexual assault in community colleges and 4-year colleges. Potter et
al.’s (2020) study findings are significant because they offer meaningful insight into SA in
community colleges, a grey area in the sexual assault research study. The study reveals that
despite community colleges enrolling a more diverse student population, they receive fewer
resources and have fewer funds to address SA in their institutions, something that policymakers
and institutions should look into.
Lastly, Mabachi et al.’s (2020) study presents barriers, facilitators and recommendations
for creating task force to prevent campus sexual assault. The authors’ take on the issue is that
campus stakeholders must collaborate to devise effective prevention strategies against sexual
assault. The need to develop a comprehensive preventive strategy stems from the fact that sexual
assault is a pervasive healthcare concern. Despite the need to address sexual assault, Mabachi et
al. (2020) assert that campuses have faced several barriers undermining prevention, including
institutional leadership's likelihood to underestimate the SA. Mabachi et al.’s (2020) study
findings are valid because the authors are associate professors and certified researchers at the
University of Kansas, hence providing first-hand and credible information on the issue. Mabachi
et al.’s (2020) study findings are significant s they highlights different areas of growth and
development in terms of campuses seeking to minimize rates of SA and develop comprehensive
preventive measures since the discussed barriers undermine sexual assault prevention efforts.
4
Discussion on the Application of the Findings
Moylan et al. (2019) study findings can be used to expand people’s knowledge and
understanding of how campus environments play a difference in shaping the rates of sexual
assaults on different campuses. Consequently, Potter et al.’s (2020) study findings can be used to
lay the important groundwork for examining sexual assault in community colleges since the
authors reveal that this is a grey area in the sexual assault research study. These findings can
further be applied in examining the reasons that undermine resource allocation in community
colleges and the implementation of functional preventive measures. Lastly, Mabachi et al.’s
(2020) study findings can be used in the broader industry to probe the different measures and
strategies different campuses apply in addressing sexual assault. They can also offer insight into
the barriers that have downplayed the efforts to minimize sexual assault on campuses. Overall,
the information presented by all three studies can help industry players devise solutions to
combat sexual assault on campuses.
Scriptural Principles and Perspectives
Scripture takes the issue of sexual assault seriously, and thus, according to the Bible,
sexual assault should be reported since it is a legal mandate to submit to the government God
appointed to preside over humanity. The Bible also asserts that we need to stand up for the
vulnerable and oppressed, and we also need to report this crime because by so doing, we
discourage would-be offenders. In reference to scripture, Deuteronomy 22:25-26 states, “But if a
man finds a betrothed young woman in the countryside, and the man forces her and lies with her,
then only the man who lay with her shall die. But you shall do nothing to the young woman;
there is in the young woman no sin deserving of death, for just as when a man rises against his
neighbor and kills him, even so, is this matter...” According to this verse, rape is a criminal
5
offense similar to homicide and should be punishable by death. Therefore, according to scripture,
we need to treat sexual assault with the same gravity as homicide and other crimes against
humanity. As such, perpetrators of SA should be punishable by law in equal measures as other
criminals.
6
References
Deuteronomy 22:25-26 KJV - - Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Www.biblegateway.com. Retrieved
February 1, 2023, from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2022%3A25-
26&version=KJV
Potter, S., Fox, N., Smith, D., Draper, N., Moschella, E. A., & Moynihan, M. M. (2020). Sexual
assault prevalence and community college students: Challenges and promising
practices. Health education & behavior, 47(1_suppl), 7S-16S.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198120910988
Mabachi, N. M., Quiason, M., Doan, A. E., & Carlson, J. (2020). Developing an effective
campus sexual assault prevention task force: lessons learned from multiple Midwestern
universities. Health Education & Behavior, 47(1_suppl), 17S-25S.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10901981209098097
Moylan, C. A., Javorka, M., Bybee, D., Stotzer, R. L., & Carlson, M. (2019). Campus-level
variation in the prevalence of student experiences of sexual assault and intimate partner
violence. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 10(3), 397-421.
https://doi.org/10.1086/704543
