Why VAWPP Matters today

Rape is the most common violent crime on American college campuses today. One in four college women report surviving rape or attempted rape at some point in their college career (Fisher, Cullen & Turner, 2000; Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006). This rate has remained the same since the 1980s (Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniewki, 1987). Sexual violence creates an environment that can limit learning and undermine students’ ability to achieve their full potential. Victims/survivors of violence are more likely to suffer academically, to experience depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, to abuse alcohol and drugs and to contemplate suicide (World Health Organization, 2002). Research and best practices coming out of the field of public health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) support the need for a comprehensive coordinated approach to sexual violence prevention. The workshops offered by the Violence Against Women Prevention Program are part of UConn’s comprehensive approach.