{
  "id": 1052237,
  "title": "One-off campus programs fall short on preventing sexual violence, review finds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/one-off-campus-programs-fall-short-on-preventing-sexual-violence",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-15T14:00:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-campus-fall-short-sexual-violence.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study reveals that one in six students attending Australian universities have experienced sexual harassment, and one in 20 have faced sexual assault since starting their education. Certain groups, such as LGBTIQA+ students, international students, and students of color, face an even higher risk of sexual violence. Despite the gravity of the situation, current prevention programs at universities worldwide fall short of effectively addressing this issue. The review analyzed 40 studies of sexual violence prevention programs implemented in universities since 2012 and found that the evidence is largely U.S.-centric, non-inclusive, and lacks a whole-of-system approach, leaving much to be desired. Universities must recognize that sexual violence is a structural issue rooted in power dynamics and inequalities, requiring more than just attitude-changing interventions. To effectively tackle sexual violence on campus, universities should adopt a whole-of-university framework encompassing five domains: student life, teaching and learning, the workplace, research, and business and operations, and three levers: values and behaviors, structures and policies, and culture and norms. However, the reviewed studies predominantly targeted majority-white, cisgender heterosexual women, neglecting crucial factors such as LGBTIQA+ communities, international students, and students of color. The focus on values and behavior, such as one-off education sessions on healthy relationships or self-defense, is insufficient in addressing the systemic problems, gender norms, and power dynamics that enable and perpetuate sexual violence. Australian universities must now implement evidence-based prevention programs, guided by the right evidence, to create safe and respectful cultures in universities.",
  "summary": "A recent National Student Safety Survey found that one in six students attending Australian universities had been sexually harassed and one in 20 had been sexually assaulted since starting university.",
  "key_points": [
    "One in six Australian students experience sexual harassment since university start.",
    "Current university prevention programs are ineffective and non-inclusive.",
    "Universities need whole-of-university framework to combat sexual violence."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}