ERIC Number: EJ1324029
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2637-9112
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Available Date: N/A
How Neoliberal Response to Sexual Violence Fails: The Case of Michigan State University
Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education, v14 n3 p265-282 2021
Sexual violence is a serious problem demanding attention in higher education. Neoliberalism, which is ubiquitous in higher education, may appear as an effective guiding philosophy for institutional leaders but falls short when it comes to preventing and responding to sexual violence. Using Michigan State University (MSU) as a case, we, graduates of MSU, argue that neoliberal responses to sexual violence, including processes of airbrushing and the protection of powerful people, led to institutional betrayal and thus exacerbated harm to victim-survivors and the community generally. We also present alternatives to the neoliberal response that emphasize collective action and education on sexual violence: a teach-in/learn-in and a grassroots effort called Reclaim MSU. The university's self-contradicting speech and action and protection of certain faculty and administrators who committed, or protected those who committed, sexual violence illustrate some of the ways neoliberal responses fueled a sense of institutional betrayal.
Descriptors: Sexual Abuse, Violence, Neoliberalism, Higher Education, Prevention, Victims of Crime, College Role, Criminals, College Environment, College Administration, Administrator Responsibility, Power Structure, Trustees, College Presidents, Intervention, School Policy, College Faculty
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
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