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Sexual Citizens: A Landmark Study of Sex, Power, and Assault on Campus
“Profoundly eye-opening.… Hirsch and Khan present a novel model for explaining and responding to campus sexual assault.” ―Claire M. Renzetti, Science Research has shown that by the time they graduate, as many as one in three women and almost one in six men will have been sexually assaulted. But why is sexual assault such a common feature of college life, and what can be done to prevent it? Drawing on the Sexual Health Initiative to Foster Transformation (SHIFT) at Columbia University, the most comprehensive study to date of sexual assault on a campus, Jennifer S. Hirsch and Shamus Khan present an entirely new framework that emphasizes sexual assault’s social roots, based on the powerful concepts of “sexual projects,” “sexual citizenship,” and “sexual geographies.” Empathic, insightful, and far-ranging, Sexual Citizens transforms our understanding of sexual assault and offers a roadmap for how to address it.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2020
189 people are currently reading
4670 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
October 28, 2019
I won this in a goodreads giveaway. It’s a very scary, interesting, shocking book that makes you think. It’s an important book because this topic is not discussed openly and the victims are hid by universities and don’t always get the justice they deserve
April 3, 2024
“For every gross male harasser, there are ten female sycophants who shamelessly use their sexual attractions to get ahead.”
—Camille Paglia
یک کتاب پروپاگاندیست که در قالب پژوهش علمی تزیین شده. نویسندههای کتاب قبل از انجام تحقیقات میدانی نتیجهی دلخواهشان را گرفتهاند و همان شواهدی را گلچین کردهاند که این نتیجه را تایید میکند. بگذریم از این که روش تحقیق هم مرغ پخته را به خنده میاندازد: سوژهها تعداد کمشماریاند که فقط از یک دانشگاه انتخاب شدهاند و روش نویسندهها هم صرفا مصاحبه کردن با آنهاست. از نظر آنها تمام "تعرضهای جنسی" که در محیط دانشگاه صورت میگیرد معلول فقدان آموزش جنسی در میان دانشجوها و کوتاهی والدین در توجیه فرزندانشان است (و البته به روی خودشان هم نمیآورند که این آموزش جنسی به همان شیوهی مطلوبشان سالهاست در دبیرستانها و کالجها تدریس میشود). ولی نویسندهها که به شدت نگرانند مبادا ایدئولوژی مختارشان هدف انتقاد قرار بگیرد، بهسادگی عوامل مهم را نادیده میگیرند. مثلا هیچ ردی از دانش روانشناسی تکاملی در این کتاب نمیبینید، چون چپها و لیبرالها و فمینیستها تکامل را انکار میکنند. یا اشارهای به نقش محصولات پرنوگرافی در شکلگیری رفتار جنسی نوجوانان و جوانان پیدا نمیکنید، چون صنعت پرن خودش از بزرگترین حامیان مالی چپها و لیبرالها است
February 1, 2020
If you’re looking for a book on power, restorative justice, sex and sexual assault, young people, campus life — something that will turn your understanding of an issue on its head, this is it. If you want a book that puts honest experiences, compassion, and community accountability first, this is the book! I would recommend this book to anyone (with a strong content warning of assault), but especially to folks who have children, work with young people, or are in charge or have oversight of large institutions. I liked this book so much I bought copies for 2 friends and will likely buy more!
Sexual citizenship is a person’s right to and recognition of other people’s right to sexual self-determination. Do you feel entitled to your own body, or not? Do you feel entitled to else’s, or not?
The chapters (minus the intro and conclusion) focus on students’ experiences with sex and assault. There’s a huge range: people who name their experiences as assault and who knew they assaulted someone else; people who retrospectively realize they have either been assaulted or assaulted another; and people who don’t name or realize either experience. I could write an essay of a review on this book, so instead I’ll list main highlights:
— The stories keep the readers attention. Students are treated as serious subjects: described often in their own words, as whole people. The book details and interrogates very common sexual encounters which grounds the reader in how things *actually* play out in reality, and upends they idea that affirmative consent alone is enough. It’s not a book about “predators” — the experiences of assaults are shared by so many that it doesn’t make sense to demonize any handful of individuals. By demonstrating that something so ugly is so commonplace, the authors force the reader to see the bigger picture.
— Hirsch & Khan ask questions that force readers to reckon with how poorly communities have equipped young people for sex. For example, “What does it mean to be so unsure of one’s sexual boundaries, so without a language for physical & sexual autonomy, that you need a workshop on consent to understand that you’ve been violated?” Another example: “What kind of society produces people whose sexual projects ignore the basic sexual citizenship of others? And what kind of society produced spaces that don’t discourage this kind of behavior, but that instead, seem to facilitate it?” (These are just the tip of the iceberg.)
— The conclusion is so thorough, touching on what schools, universities, policymakers, religious & organized communities, & parents (particularly fathers and male role models) can do. It includes suggestions about ways parents can talk to their kids, how curriculums can change, how universities can reorganize physical spaces, and potential federal sex ed requirements. Interventions at all levels — we just need to pick one and start doing the work!
Sexual citizenship is a person’s right to and recognition of other people’s right to sexual self-determination. Do you feel entitled to your own body, or not? Do you feel entitled to else’s, or not?
The chapters (minus the intro and conclusion) focus on students’ experiences with sex and assault. There’s a huge range: people who name their experiences as assault and who knew they assaulted someone else; people who retrospectively realize they have either been assaulted or assaulted another; and people who don’t name or realize either experience. I could write an essay of a review on this book, so instead I’ll list main highlights:
— The stories keep the readers attention. Students are treated as serious subjects: described often in their own words, as whole people. The book details and interrogates very common sexual encounters which grounds the reader in how things *actually* play out in reality, and upends they idea that affirmative consent alone is enough. It’s not a book about “predators” — the experiences of assaults are shared by so many that it doesn’t make sense to demonize any handful of individuals. By demonstrating that something so ugly is so commonplace, the authors force the reader to see the bigger picture.
— Hirsch & Khan ask questions that force readers to reckon with how poorly communities have equipped young people for sex. For example, “What does it mean to be so unsure of one’s sexual boundaries, so without a language for physical & sexual autonomy, that you need a workshop on consent to understand that you’ve been violated?” Another example: “What kind of society produces people whose sexual projects ignore the basic sexual citizenship of others? And what kind of society produced spaces that don’t discourage this kind of behavior, but that instead, seem to facilitate it?” (These are just the tip of the iceberg.)
— The conclusion is so thorough, touching on what schools, universities, policymakers, religious & organized communities, & parents (particularly fathers and male role models) can do. It includes suggestions about ways parents can talk to their kids, how curriculums can change, how universities can reorganize physical spaces, and potential federal sex ed requirements. Interventions at all levels — we just need to pick one and start doing the work!
May 25, 2020
Some people feel entitled to others’ bodies, and others do not feel entitled to their own bodies.
This book came recommended from a friend in Sociology and it did not disappoint.
The authors explored different aspects of sexual assaults that is not commonly talked about in the popular media as well as the ones that do. Reading this book after reading Chanel Miller's book give it a very interesting perspective on campus sexual assaults and how they are treated after.
More interestingly, it made me question some of the notions I have held about what sexual assault is and how we can work to prevent them. It made me think about how sexual assault is also ingrained in the broader social justice issues and it should become a part of the movement and should not be left behind.
May 15, 2020
A must read for parents, preventionists, advocates, activists, elected officials, school administrators, educators (pre-K -- college), and really EVERYONE else not on that list. It's kind of incredible to be a preventionist working during a time where resources are actively being released that will ultimately be the tipping point for change. This book put much needed data behind stories and strategies beginning to be implemented as best practice to prevent sexual violence. In one fell swoop it identifies what so many parents, elected officials, and school administrators need to hear in terms of tangible goals to reduce violence. Expect to hear me quoting pieces for at least the next ten years.
March 28, 2020
The authors do an outstanding job in helping us understand how complex assault is. It isn't just one thing and a lot of college students don't realize that they have perpetuated assault until they engage in thoughtful, reflective conversations. It doesn't just happen in a certain kind of place with a certain group of kids either.
Consent is also complex. There may be a range of social cues that adults use to indicate consent. For most young adults, it's awkward to stop and say, "Do you consent?" and frankly, what the authors found is that even if there's a "yes," there may not be truly consent. They make the case that "consent" is a thought process that may occur before, during, AND/OR after the sexual experience. We need to move away from current trends in "consent sex education" and engage young people (or facilitate ways for them to do this with their peers) about the complexities of consent. It's more than a question-answer moment. AND we need to think about how society pushes the sense that consent is something a male asks a female for--because this also contributes to gendered power narratives that we need to disrupt. Regardless of gender, the issue of consent needs to be considered by all parties.
Sexual geographies are strong factors in what happens. Think about a college dorm room. Where can two people sit together without sitting on the bed? An object with strong sexual connotations? Think about where parties happen when students drink and a lot of sexual experiences play out? At places where certain groups have power (e.g., access to space, alcohol, drugs, etc.).
Sexual projects are strong factors in what happens. What are your plans for exploring your sexuality and that of someone else during college? How might this happen? How can conversations with partners contribute to "better sex"? The authors argue that conversations around this topic need to happen with students--at home, in high school, in college, with friends.
Sexual citizenship is "the recognition of one's own right to sexual self-determination." In other words knowing you have rights and the person you are with has rights--to explore, to be treated with respect, etc. "Your partner is not an object for your pleasure. Your partner cannot engage fully if they are drunk or high on drugs. (Would we ask you to vote or drive or act as a juror in these conditions to complete your other civic responsibilities?)
The authors educate us on rethinking the language we use to talk about these concepts including getting rid of the word "perpetrator" which sounds fixed and using "perpetuate assault" and adding vocabulary like "sexual citizenship."
Lots of stories based on the surveys they did with students at Columbia University. I got a little bogged down in these. By chapter seven, I was reading the chapter summaries. DON'T SKIP THE CONCLUSIONS - this is where Hirsch and Khan synthesize and make excellent recommendations for us all. "Schools' prevention work should be integrated into their core mission of education, in both skills and critical thinking" instead of a narrow focus on "structured around consent education" (during orientation week ;). There needs to be lots of space and opportunities for students to do this learning. The authors even recommend taxing the alcohol and porn industry so that more (mental health) programs (including safer spaces for students to congregate and for lots of students to have control of that space) can be developed on campuses (high school and college) to help students as they deal with assault and/or learn to engage in sexual citizenship in a healthy way.
Consent is also complex. There may be a range of social cues that adults use to indicate consent. For most young adults, it's awkward to stop and say, "Do you consent?" and frankly, what the authors found is that even if there's a "yes," there may not be truly consent. They make the case that "consent" is a thought process that may occur before, during, AND/OR after the sexual experience. We need to move away from current trends in "consent sex education" and engage young people (or facilitate ways for them to do this with their peers) about the complexities of consent. It's more than a question-answer moment. AND we need to think about how society pushes the sense that consent is something a male asks a female for--because this also contributes to gendered power narratives that we need to disrupt. Regardless of gender, the issue of consent needs to be considered by all parties.
Sexual geographies are strong factors in what happens. Think about a college dorm room. Where can two people sit together without sitting on the bed? An object with strong sexual connotations? Think about where parties happen when students drink and a lot of sexual experiences play out? At places where certain groups have power (e.g., access to space, alcohol, drugs, etc.).
Sexual projects are strong factors in what happens. What are your plans for exploring your sexuality and that of someone else during college? How might this happen? How can conversations with partners contribute to "better sex"? The authors argue that conversations around this topic need to happen with students--at home, in high school, in college, with friends.
Sexual citizenship is "the recognition of one's own right to sexual self-determination." In other words knowing you have rights and the person you are with has rights--to explore, to be treated with respect, etc. "Your partner is not an object for your pleasure. Your partner cannot engage fully if they are drunk or high on drugs. (Would we ask you to vote or drive or act as a juror in these conditions to complete your other civic responsibilities?)
The authors educate us on rethinking the language we use to talk about these concepts including getting rid of the word "perpetrator" which sounds fixed and using "perpetuate assault" and adding vocabulary like "sexual citizenship."
Lots of stories based on the surveys they did with students at Columbia University. I got a little bogged down in these. By chapter seven, I was reading the chapter summaries. DON'T SKIP THE CONCLUSIONS - this is where Hirsch and Khan synthesize and make excellent recommendations for us all. "Schools' prevention work should be integrated into their core mission of education, in both skills and critical thinking" instead of a narrow focus on "structured around consent education" (during orientation week ;). There needs to be lots of space and opportunities for students to do this learning. The authors even recommend taxing the alcohol and porn industry so that more (mental health) programs (including safer spaces for students to congregate and for lots of students to have control of that space) can be developed on campuses (high school and college) to help students as they deal with assault and/or learn to engage in sexual citizenship in a healthy way.
March 3, 2021
A must read, a good read, a hard read. This book should be required reading for anyone who works in any way with violence prevention, and for anyone who feels authorized to opinion about sexual violence. Based on extensive & multi-modal research methods to frame the discussions and suggestions for several solutions.
April 1, 2020
This book was excellent. The researchers took great care of their participants and care in reporting their findings. Their suggestions for decreasing rates of sexual assault are essential and timely.
June 13, 2020
Incredible study and book - so nuanced and compassionate and thoughtful.
April 19, 2023
Recommend! Comprehensive environmental/structural approach to sexual assault research that I hadn’t seen before.
March 25, 2021
TW: SA
INCREDIBLE BOOK!! I had to read this for a class, so i was worried it might be dense, dark, and hard to get through. While extremely educational, informative, and (at times) disgusting, the authors did a wonderful job telling the story and sharing their findings. I found it hard to put down. The authors weave together stories from students they had interviewed and find common themes that tell a bigger story about SA on college campuses, relating to power and privilege, gendered dynamics and LGBTQ identities, spaces on campus, race, etc etc. I found myself really connecting to the students they interviewed, and I was constantly (and still am) reflecting on my own college experience, as a recent grad. I have really enjoyed chatting w my classmates about our reflections and personal experiences.
This book really shows how SA is a part of and a reflection of larger issues within our society. highlllyyy recommend if you’re interested in anything related to higher ed, SA, sexual health, LGBTQ rights, gendered violence, social policy, etc
INCREDIBLE BOOK!! I had to read this for a class, so i was worried it might be dense, dark, and hard to get through. While extremely educational, informative, and (at times) disgusting, the authors did a wonderful job telling the story and sharing their findings. I found it hard to put down. The authors weave together stories from students they had interviewed and find common themes that tell a bigger story about SA on college campuses, relating to power and privilege, gendered dynamics and LGBTQ identities, spaces on campus, race, etc etc. I found myself really connecting to the students they interviewed, and I was constantly (and still am) reflecting on my own college experience, as a recent grad. I have really enjoyed chatting w my classmates about our reflections and personal experiences.
This book really shows how SA is a part of and a reflection of larger issues within our society. highlllyyy recommend if you’re interested in anything related to higher ed, SA, sexual health, LGBTQ rights, gendered violence, social policy, etc
December 4, 2023
wonderful
November 7, 2022
Sexual Citizens’s ethnographic study felt accurate to my own and my friends’ experiences in undergrad: it captures many of the intersecting power structures that seem nebulous to most students living within them. I think the book could be impactful for university leaders, both in its thorough explanation of the risk factors leading to sexual assault and its suggestions for future actions. However, I felt that as a college student, I walked away without any profound realizations or actions that I could take to mitigate sexual assault. Many of the lessons in the book followed my lived experience, so I didn’t learn much that I hadn’t already known.
At the same time, though, that could be the major lesson of Sexual Citizens. Sexual assault is institutional, a direct result of our lack of sex education, our structural power imbalances, and our cultural messaging around sex. Every college student feels these effects acutely, but there isn’t much that one person can do to change the culture. All we can hope for is to raise awareness so that our institutional leaders will see the need for change.
At the same time, though, that could be the major lesson of Sexual Citizens. Sexual assault is institutional, a direct result of our lack of sex education, our structural power imbalances, and our cultural messaging around sex. Every college student feels these effects acutely, but there isn’t much that one person can do to change the culture. All we can hope for is to raise awareness so that our institutional leaders will see the need for change.
January 15, 2022
Really good. Clearly argued, and the stories make it consistently interesting. Some misc. notes:
* Sorority houses do not allow alcohol, which means that fraternities control the spaces where alcohol is consumed. WTFWTFWTF this is so dumb.
* Since housing priority is usually based on class year, freshmen, who are most vulnerable, have the least control of space. E.g. when a freshman and a senior leave a party are they going to go back to the freshman's dorm room where their roommate is, or the senior's swanky single?
* Sexual projects: sex is often seen as a goal/drive/need unto itself, but people have sex for many different reasons, to accomplish different things. It could be to connect with another person, it could be to validate an identity, it could be for reputation, etc..
* Assault happens when someone is pursuing their sexual project without fully considering the other person's sexual citizenship. Real, deep, communication is hard! Especially between drunk strangers. How do we develop a culture of sexual citizenship?
* The justice system (whether criminal or within the university) often seems stuck between invalidating the experience of a person who was assaulted, and severe punishment. What would restorative justice look like here?
* The expectation in heterosexual relationships that the man is responsible for "progressing the situation", while women are either consent or say no, creates an unbalanced and risky situation and does not promote mutual respect and good communication. The language of "consent" reinforces this dynamic, even if that consent is required to be "explicit" or "enthusiastic".
* Sorority houses do not allow alcohol, which means that fraternities control the spaces where alcohol is consumed. WTFWTFWTF this is so dumb.
* Since housing priority is usually based on class year, freshmen, who are most vulnerable, have the least control of space. E.g. when a freshman and a senior leave a party are they going to go back to the freshman's dorm room where their roommate is, or the senior's swanky single?
* Sexual projects: sex is often seen as a goal/drive/need unto itself, but people have sex for many different reasons, to accomplish different things. It could be to connect with another person, it could be to validate an identity, it could be for reputation, etc..
* Assault happens when someone is pursuing their sexual project without fully considering the other person's sexual citizenship. Real, deep, communication is hard! Especially between drunk strangers. How do we develop a culture of sexual citizenship?
* The justice system (whether criminal or within the university) often seems stuck between invalidating the experience of a person who was assaulted, and severe punishment. What would restorative justice look like here?
* The expectation in heterosexual relationships that the man is responsible for "progressing the situation", while women are either consent or say no, creates an unbalanced and risky situation and does not promote mutual respect and good communication. The language of "consent" reinforces this dynamic, even if that consent is required to be "explicit" or "enthusiastic".
May 3, 2021
4.5 stars.
totally expanded how i viewed sexual assault. hopeful, but also difficult to read because there’s so much we need to do as a community to carve a culture that actively prevents and/or provides adequate solutions in the case of sexual assault.
totally expanded how i viewed sexual assault. hopeful, but also difficult to read because there’s so much we need to do as a community to carve a culture that actively prevents and/or provides adequate solutions in the case of sexual assault.
November 5, 2021
I’ve been chipping away at (and complimenting) @JenniferSHirsch and @shamuskhan’s book Sexual Citizens: A Landmark Study of Sex, Power, and Assault on Campus for a while and I finally finished it.
In publishing, use of hyperbolic words like “landmark” and “groundbreaking” are exceedingly common, but in this case they are simple statements of fact.
I hope this book changes everything.
Both the results of a stunning qualitative assessment of students’ experiences/understandings of their intimate lives AND a synthesis of the underlying sociological and psychological factors at play, it is also an enthralling read.
It situates the consideration of assault in a broader context of the landscape of 1) people’s sexual goals, 2) the critical role of context, including control over space, and 3) people’s social and relational networks.
Sexual goals (which they call “projects”) — ”becoming a skilled sexual partner, seeking pleasure, connecting with another person emotionally, defining oneself, and impressing others.”
Space — “space has a social power that elicits and produces behavior.” Wealthy students have more space, better space, more access to quality/large quantity of alcohol. More access to Uber to get out of dangerous situations.
Space — “The almost tidal flow of students in and out of each other’s bedrooms is a defining element of residential higher education. Dorm life is a fundamental sexual assault opportunity structure.” We need to examine this problem.
We also can’t understand assault outside of the context of social status. Willingness to label troubling sexual contact as “rape” versus “rapey/gross/awkward” often varies based on status of perpetrator and influence of friends.
Even more critically, friends play a strong role in this labeling and contextualizing. “The power of the group both to organize opportunities for sexual contact and to downgrade instances of assault.” Shared construction of meaning (hivemind!).
One of my favorite quotes of the book —
“The feeling of a right to say yes, to desire sex, is fundamental to being meaningfully able to say no.”
Reminds me a lot of conversations with @annecollier for HIVEMIND about approaching tech and youth from the perspective of their digital citizenship.
What to do about all of this….we need to “remake the rails.” We need to address inequities in terms of space and power and money. We need to conduct actual sex education that is sex-positive and respects variations in sexual projects.
“Some people feel entitled to others’ bodies, and others do not feel entitled to their own bodies.”
“[E]very single Black woman student with whom we spoke had experienced unwanted sexual touching on campus. That bears repeating: every single one.”
Let’s pause there, as I paused there when reading, and feel the horrid weight of that sentence.
The horrid weight of it.
This this THIS:
“But just as explanations that are purely psychological (sociopathic perpetrators) are incomplete, so too are ones that are entirely cultural (toxic masculinity). We are all responsible. Most of us have never committed assault. But all of us have allowed social conditions to persist in which many young people come of age without a language to talk about their sexual desires, overcome with shame, unaccustomed to considering how their relative social power may silence a peer, highly attentive to their personal wants but deaf to those of others, or socialized to feel unable to tell someone “no” or to give a clear and unambiguous “yes.”
Building a campus where all students can thrive and there is less sexual assault “requires action across four interrelated areas: issues of diversity, power, and inequality; sex and sexual assault; substance use; and mental health.” Yes, all of this, yes.
“Sex is a critical life skill — vital for our sense of self and for connecting intimately with others.”
Thank you, Jennifer and Shamus, for this remarkable work.
In publishing, use of hyperbolic words like “landmark” and “groundbreaking” are exceedingly common, but in this case they are simple statements of fact.
I hope this book changes everything.
Both the results of a stunning qualitative assessment of students’ experiences/understandings of their intimate lives AND a synthesis of the underlying sociological and psychological factors at play, it is also an enthralling read.
It situates the consideration of assault in a broader context of the landscape of 1) people’s sexual goals, 2) the critical role of context, including control over space, and 3) people’s social and relational networks.
Sexual goals (which they call “projects”) — ”becoming a skilled sexual partner, seeking pleasure, connecting with another person emotionally, defining oneself, and impressing others.”
Space — “space has a social power that elicits and produces behavior.” Wealthy students have more space, better space, more access to quality/large quantity of alcohol. More access to Uber to get out of dangerous situations.
Space — “The almost tidal flow of students in and out of each other’s bedrooms is a defining element of residential higher education. Dorm life is a fundamental sexual assault opportunity structure.” We need to examine this problem.
We also can’t understand assault outside of the context of social status. Willingness to label troubling sexual contact as “rape” versus “rapey/gross/awkward” often varies based on status of perpetrator and influence of friends.
Even more critically, friends play a strong role in this labeling and contextualizing. “The power of the group both to organize opportunities for sexual contact and to downgrade instances of assault.” Shared construction of meaning (hivemind!).
One of my favorite quotes of the book —
“The feeling of a right to say yes, to desire sex, is fundamental to being meaningfully able to say no.”
Reminds me a lot of conversations with @annecollier for HIVEMIND about approaching tech and youth from the perspective of their digital citizenship.
What to do about all of this….we need to “remake the rails.” We need to address inequities in terms of space and power and money. We need to conduct actual sex education that is sex-positive and respects variations in sexual projects.
“Some people feel entitled to others’ bodies, and others do not feel entitled to their own bodies.”
“[E]very single Black woman student with whom we spoke had experienced unwanted sexual touching on campus. That bears repeating: every single one.”
Let’s pause there, as I paused there when reading, and feel the horrid weight of that sentence.
The horrid weight of it.
This this THIS:
“But just as explanations that are purely psychological (sociopathic perpetrators) are incomplete, so too are ones that are entirely cultural (toxic masculinity). We are all responsible. Most of us have never committed assault. But all of us have allowed social conditions to persist in which many young people come of age without a language to talk about their sexual desires, overcome with shame, unaccustomed to considering how their relative social power may silence a peer, highly attentive to their personal wants but deaf to those of others, or socialized to feel unable to tell someone “no” or to give a clear and unambiguous “yes.”
Building a campus where all students can thrive and there is less sexual assault “requires action across four interrelated areas: issues of diversity, power, and inequality; sex and sexual assault; substance use; and mental health.” Yes, all of this, yes.
“Sex is a critical life skill — vital for our sense of self and for connecting intimately with others.”
Thank you, Jennifer and Shamus, for this remarkable work.
February 11, 2021
Everyone in academia should make time to read this research reframing the institutional questions and resources that are needed to support health and well-being for all our students.
October 20, 2020
Reading this really brought me back to college, & to revisiting a lot of spaces I had perceived as normal but were actually pretty f'ed up. I appreciate Hirsch and Khan's intersectional thinking about race, SES, ability, and sexual orientation, among other factors. Their discussion of "geographies of vulnerability" is also particularly compelling: "sexual outcomes are intimately tied to the physical spaces where they unfold." And although they are clear about the numbers on who suffers the majority of assaults, they also spoke to men who had received nonconsensual advances from women - making an important point about how assuming all sexual encounters follow gendered scripts of men as perpetrators and women as victims does a disservice to male survivors of sexual violence.
Hirsch and Khan point out that college is really _late_ to start conversations with young people about seeing themselves as agentive, and to think about what their objectives are in their own "sexual projects." I wished I'd read this book when I was 15.
Some lines from the book I wrote down:
"[from a college student interviewee] 'You know, guys will pressure you until you do consent. I've never been raped or anything.'"
"What kind of society produces people whose feeling about their own right to sexual self-determination is so impoverished that they'd spare someone else an awkward interaction, even if it means having a strange and unwelcome penis inside of them?"
Hirsch and Khan point out that college is really _late_ to start conversations with young people about seeing themselves as agentive, and to think about what their objectives are in their own "sexual projects." I wished I'd read this book when I was 15.
Some lines from the book I wrote down:
"[from a college student interviewee] 'You know, guys will pressure you until you do consent. I've never been raped or anything.'"
"What kind of society produces people whose feeling about their own right to sexual self-determination is so impoverished that they'd spare someone else an awkward interaction, even if it means having a strange and unwelcome penis inside of them?"
January 18, 2021
Accessible yet rigorous sociology/public health crossover with well-articulated framework--this is my favorite type of book. There were so many things that they did well. Their concepts of sexual citizenship, sexual projects, and sexual geographies were laid out clearly and applied in useful ways. Where it fell slightly short for me was the very end, after they had very clearly explained a super complicated and multi-faceted problem, I wanted to know what, specifically, colleges/universities, high schools, parents, and all the rest of us who live in a world where campus sexual assault is extremely common should do. It didn't offer a ton in the way of solutions, more of "different ways of thinking about the problem", which, to be fair, is about what they advertised at the beginning, but it still felt unsatisfying.
They talked about how, at most residential 4-year colleges, there is a housing process such that seniors get the best housing and first-years usually have roommates, and how that creates this situation in which first-years are often going to older students' living spaces for sexual encounters, furthering tilting the power dynamic in favor of the older students, and increasing the risk that assault will happen. This seemed like a really good point and one that actually wouldn't be that hard for institutions to address, compared to like radically reworking comprehensive sex education curricula from grade school up which would require lots of resources and political will. That second thing also seems important, but hard to imagine that happening soon.
The study took place at Columbia University and a couple of times they mentioned that they presented a report to the university at the conclusion of the study. I was wondering: did their report include specific recommendations? And has Columbia done anything differently since the conclusion of the study? (Though presumably it's too early to know if anything has changed as a result)
They talked about how, at most residential 4-year colleges, there is a housing process such that seniors get the best housing and first-years usually have roommates, and how that creates this situation in which first-years are often going to older students' living spaces for sexual encounters, furthering tilting the power dynamic in favor of the older students, and increasing the risk that assault will happen. This seemed like a really good point and one that actually wouldn't be that hard for institutions to address, compared to like radically reworking comprehensive sex education curricula from grade school up which would require lots of resources and political will. That second thing also seems important, but hard to imagine that happening soon.
The study took place at Columbia University and a couple of times they mentioned that they presented a report to the university at the conclusion of the study. I was wondering: did their report include specific recommendations? And has Columbia done anything differently since the conclusion of the study? (Though presumably it's too early to know if anything has changed as a result)
May 12, 2020
If I have children, they will read this book prior to high school. We all need to think about what we want sex to mean for us with open conversations, instead of letting others control our narrative until we figure it out.
June 21, 2020
This should be required reading for every American college student / young person.
June 7, 2020
Full disclosure: I attended Columbia as an undergraduate during the time of this study, so this book felt real and tangible to me in a way it might not to others. Regardless, I have been recommending this book to everyone I know because I find it to be a powerful and important book (and also potentially empowering if you've experienced SA).
I have often lamented that the conversation around MeToo in the public discourse which, like most polarized topics, lacks nuance and constructiveness, nor does it really reflect my experience or the experiences of close friends of mine. Very few of us are assaulted by Harvey Weinstein/Larry Nassar types, and most of us know the person who assaulted us.
This book complicates the current, mainstream narrative in a way that reconciles the seemingly contradictory gendered narratives about who are perpetrators, who are victims, and what are the routes to justice. It is nice to see a book acknowledge how existing legal frameworks of justice for sexual assault can often be more traumatizing than the assault itself or the history of the hypersexualization and accusations toward men of color. This book is highly intersectional and has forced me to see beyond the cultural scripts that I ascribe to.
I did find it valuable to listen to the experiences of those who committed assault, even if I had an initial bias against hearing it, because as the authors explain, assault is a crime but having committed a crime does not make you a criminal. And, in the context of the framework provided in the book, I felt that I could reconcile my horror about assault with the discomfort of acknowledging that not all people who commit assault are nefarious or even understand the issue.
It is rare that a book forces me to take a step back from my initial thoughts about an issue and really reflect on my life. After thinking about this book for a few days, I have realized that the ways in which I talk about sexual assault are perhaps not that productive. The solutions that we propose need to be more complex, and the problem we acknowledge has to be more inclusive.
All in all, I think that this book has plenty of wisdom for anyone discussing these issues, and in spite of the heavy subject nature, I found it to be a very hopeful book at its core.
I have often lamented that the conversation around MeToo in the public discourse which, like most polarized topics, lacks nuance and constructiveness, nor does it really reflect my experience or the experiences of close friends of mine. Very few of us are assaulted by Harvey Weinstein/Larry Nassar types, and most of us know the person who assaulted us.
This book complicates the current, mainstream narrative in a way that reconciles the seemingly contradictory gendered narratives about who are perpetrators, who are victims, and what are the routes to justice. It is nice to see a book acknowledge how existing legal frameworks of justice for sexual assault can often be more traumatizing than the assault itself or the history of the hypersexualization and accusations toward men of color. This book is highly intersectional and has forced me to see beyond the cultural scripts that I ascribe to.
I did find it valuable to listen to the experiences of those who committed assault, even if I had an initial bias against hearing it, because as the authors explain, assault is a crime but having committed a crime does not make you a criminal. And, in the context of the framework provided in the book, I felt that I could reconcile my horror about assault with the discomfort of acknowledging that not all people who commit assault are nefarious or even understand the issue.
It is rare that a book forces me to take a step back from my initial thoughts about an issue and really reflect on my life. After thinking about this book for a few days, I have realized that the ways in which I talk about sexual assault are perhaps not that productive. The solutions that we propose need to be more complex, and the problem we acknowledge has to be more inclusive.
All in all, I think that this book has plenty of wisdom for anyone discussing these issues, and in spite of the heavy subject nature, I found it to be a very hopeful book at its core.
Read
August 26, 2021At first, I was really annoyed at this book because I didn't feel the authors were offering anything new, and I thought the chapter graphically detailing sexual assaults one after the other showed a certain lack of sensitivity to their readers. Also, the data they collected and discussed was just from Columbia, which they tried to explain away, but obviously could lead to issues in the data. Lastly, who is this book written for really?
But, once I got to chapter four, titled, "What is Sex For?" I started to see some of the benefits of their framework. Should I ever get to realize my dream of working as a sex educator, it would definitely be beneficial to talk to students about their sexual projects and to help them develop their sexual citizenship.
One of the major focuses of this text is that a person is at risk of committing sexual assault when they have certain sexual projects that tend to deny the sexual citizenship of their prospective partners. Mental health issues and high levels of intoxication are other risk factors. With this in mind, it becomes obvious that all different kinds of people can commit assault.
Putting all assailants in jail is not the solution here. We need to redesign campus spaces so that power and access to space isn't concentrated in the hands of white, male, rich, upperclassmen. We need to seriously consider the costs of the "college experience." We need to actually educate students about sex, instead of instilling a culture of shame and silence. We need to expand access to mental health resources. Lastly, we need to expand the options for victims of sexual assault as they seek justice and healing to include, at bare minimum, options of restorative justice.
But, once I got to chapter four, titled, "What is Sex For?" I started to see some of the benefits of their framework. Should I ever get to realize my dream of working as a sex educator, it would definitely be beneficial to talk to students about their sexual projects and to help them develop their sexual citizenship.
One of the major focuses of this text is that a person is at risk of committing sexual assault when they have certain sexual projects that tend to deny the sexual citizenship of their prospective partners. Mental health issues and high levels of intoxication are other risk factors. With this in mind, it becomes obvious that all different kinds of people can commit assault.
Putting all assailants in jail is not the solution here. We need to redesign campus spaces so that power and access to space isn't concentrated in the hands of white, male, rich, upperclassmen. We need to seriously consider the costs of the "college experience." We need to actually educate students about sex, instead of instilling a culture of shame and silence. We need to expand access to mental health resources. Lastly, we need to expand the options for victims of sexual assault as they seek justice and healing to include, at bare minimum, options of restorative justice.
November 8, 2023
Finally finished this one too yayy! As someone who was a sociology major, I loved the sociological research that went into this book and it was really interesting (and difficult) to hear about what students said in their interviews. Overall, a saddening but good read and left me with some strategies to consider in my work!
August 1, 2024
lowkey ate. loved the first hand accounts that were everywhere in this book. needed to think about some of these things given my current state of being.
July 24, 2024
a must read for everyone. educate yourself through this book and learn how to better our society. cannot recommend this book enough for EVERYONE to read.
September 29, 2020
Well-written, well-researched, and all-around thought provoking. I highly recommend this to college students and parents of college students.
June 6, 2022
Of a study done at Columbia and Barnard universities and succeeds in reframing the discussion of sexual assault to include the importance of an individual’s sexual agency in a relationship. Entry into college and university life, the beginning of adulthood, is a good place to study the topic.
The authors created a team of researchers that conducted campus and off-campus observations, sent out written surveys and led focus groups and individual interviews. For some of the people they spoke with it was the first opportunity to realize that what happened to the, was assault, that unwanted sexual experiences perpetrated upon them were not actions owed to someone. At the same time, there were interviewees who came to understand that talking an inebriated student into having sex with them when they were barely conscious was also assault.
The authors discovered that environment, economic and social status - the design of dorm spaces themselves - all play a part in one’s ability to express their sexual agency.
It would be a useful study to continue with on a broader scale, if the funding was available. What we learn is that students come to college incredibly unprepared to be the sexual beings they wish to be and rarely are provided an education in the topic that discusses a way to ensure that we are promoting a sexuality where whether one has a sexual relationship and the specific actions within the relationship or exchange are mutually beneficial.
Good reading for any student heading to campus for the first time.
The authors created a team of researchers that conducted campus and off-campus observations, sent out written surveys and led focus groups and individual interviews. For some of the people they spoke with it was the first opportunity to realize that what happened to the, was assault, that unwanted sexual experiences perpetrated upon them were not actions owed to someone. At the same time, there were interviewees who came to understand that talking an inebriated student into having sex with them when they were barely conscious was also assault.
The authors discovered that environment, economic and social status - the design of dorm spaces themselves - all play a part in one’s ability to express their sexual agency.
It would be a useful study to continue with on a broader scale, if the funding was available. What we learn is that students come to college incredibly unprepared to be the sexual beings they wish to be and rarely are provided an education in the topic that discusses a way to ensure that we are promoting a sexuality where whether one has a sexual relationship and the specific actions within the relationship or exchange are mutually beneficial.
Good reading for any student heading to campus for the first time.
February 23, 2021
Important and in depth look at potential causes and risk factors of sexual assault and ways to address them. An essential read for parents, educators, and clinicians.
June 16, 2020
truly excellent, highly recommend (someone read it and come discuss with me book club style)
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