Sexual Assault as an Example

Take the example of sexual assault.  We know from the research that most men are not rapists.  But, we also know that most rapists are sociopathic repeat offenders.  Rape is rarely the result of misunderstanding or miscommunication.  We endeavor to educate potential perpetrators with prevention programs, and to encourage risk reduction for potential victims, but is there really any educational program that is going to convince a sexual predatory to stop his (or her) behavior?  Will empathy induction do it?  Doubtful.  Will a “here is the law and here are the consequences” approach stop serial rape?  Why should it?  There is really only one way to stop a predator.  Catch him and put him away.  So, should colleges just give up?  No.  Get a group of students together and ask them if they can identify other students who are predatory (or who haze, or who stalk, or who hate, or who are abusing alcohol to the point of injury to self or others).   Every student will tell you they know of someone.  If they do, our challenge is to motivate them to ask what they are going to do about it.  Intervene.  Maybe they won’t go to the Dean, or to the police, but maybe they will confront the individual.  Say something.  Let them know they are on the radar screen.  “What if the Plane Blew Up?” is not about making students into tattletales.  No one wants to be seen as a rat.  Millennials have far too much loyalty for that.  But, they also don’t like to put up with the misdeeds of others.  All they need is a little push in the right direction.  They need to understand enabling behavior and learn techniques for low-risk, high-impact intervention.  That’s what this program is all about. 

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