College Athletes and Sexual Assault

This article addresses the issue of sexual assaults committed by college athletes. The existing research is not conclusive but does suggest that athletes are more involved in sexual misconduct than non-athletes. The larger institutional factors that could explain the higher rates among athletes are then discussed and how new guidelines and regulations from the Department of Higher Education have changed the way colleges must deal with sexual assault. The final part of the article discusses how colleges should handle cases of sexual assault by athletes. The major theme is that to change public perceptions and lessen assaults, athletic departments and coaches must limit their involvement in these cases to ensure that athletes and non-athletes are treated equally.