November 15, 2009

Rape-Prevention Programs Proliferate, but 'It's Hard to Know' Whether They Work

Rape-Prevention Programs Proliferate, but No One Knows If They Work 2

Photographs By Michael Okoniewski

Fraternity leaders (above) are the facilitators in Binghamton U.'s sexual-assault-prevention program, which draws emotional responses (right) from participants. Peer participation is key, say researchers.

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close Rape-Prevention Programs Proliferate, but No One Knows If They Work 2

Photographs By Michael Okoniewski

Fraternity leaders (above) are the facilitators in Binghamton U.'s sexual-assault-prevention program, which draws emotional responses (right) from participants. Peer participation is key, say researchers.

By Piper Fogg

Imagine that you are a male police officer walking down a dark alley. Two drunken men surprise you, take your gun, and then sexually assault you.

This is the scenario groups of young men are asked to visualize during a presentation at Binghamton University. Part of a sexual-assault-prevention program designed for college fraternities, the exercise is meant to sensitize men to the way a female rape victim might feel.

The program, a combination of popular prevention strategies,