Ho'omana o Mānoa: engaging and empowering students preparing the groundwork for sexual assault prevention program at the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa

Abstract

It is estimated that one in four college women will experience a sexual or attempted sexual assault. Disturbing as these statistics are, there still remains a lack of agreement on what is needed to create an effective college-based sexual assault prevention program. By reviewing a risk assessment survey conducted in 2003 at University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa (UHM), conducting focus groups with students, and completing one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders; this research seeks to bridge gaps in knowledge regarding effective sexual assault prevention programming. Findings revealed three main themes: (1) creating a responsible community, (2) honoring the culture of place, and (3) transforming system approach at UHM. Based on these findings, I make several recommendations. Recommendations are: educating students about sexual assault and prevention, empowering male students with positive roles, and engaging students to work collaboratively with administration and faculty as agents for change in the creation of a responsible community.