Challenging the Norms: A Guide to Counteract Rape Culture and Sexual Assault in America

Challenging the Norms: A Guide to Counteract Rape Culture and Sexual Assault in America provides readers with a greater understanding of rape culture, the prevalence of sexual assault in America, and interventions that can create a safer world in which sexual relationships are healthy and consensual.

Opening chapters define rape culture and demonstrate how it manifests in the United States, debunk rape myths, and explore the connection between entitlement and rape. Additional chapters examine the process of reporting rape, issues related to consent, and the pervasiveness of date rape and acquaintance rape. Students read about the relationship between rape, alcohol, and drugs; the differences between casual sex and relationship sex; and relationships between rape and Greek life, and rape and athletics. Closing chapters explain why mediation should never be used in sexual assault cases, why survivors don’t report, the experience of survivors, and strategies for education and prevention.

Designed to break the silence about rape and sexual assault on college campuses, Challenging the Norms is an exemplary text for courses in criminal justice, sexual assault, sexual assault investigation, and contemporary social issues. It is also an excellent resource for programs focused on sexual assault education and prevention.