Research

UK Researchers Publish Book on Adjudication of Sexual Assault on College Campuses

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 9, 2020) — A new book by researchers in the University of Kentucky's Center for Research on Violence Against Women (CRVAW) explores adjudication options on sexual misconduct on college campuses.

Published in January by Cognella, "Adjudicating Campus Sexual Misconduct and Assault" was edited by CRVAW Director Diane Follingstad and Judi Conway Patton Endowed Chair Claire Renzetti.

"There is considerable confusion around policies and procedures for addressing campus sexual misconduct and assault and a good deal of diversity across campuses," said Renzetti, who is also professor and chair of the UK Department of Sociology. "One of our goals has been to provide some clarity with regard to such issues as consent, standards of proof, sanctions, the role of attorneys and other components of campus adjudication processes."

The book's publisher, Cognella says this book "convenes the voices of leading legal and social analysts and practitioners to discuss the most complex dimensions of this timely and critical issue. The volume provides thorough and honest assessment of adjudication options and promotes dialogue regarding how to increase collaboration, improve responses, and address challenges that arise both within institutions and externally."

The center will host its annual "Campus Responses to Sexual Misconduct" conference again this fall, with this year's theme being "Changing the Culture on Campus." The conference will take place Sept. 24-25 at the Marriott Lexington City Center. Registration for the conference opens soon. For more information, visit https://www.uky.edu/crvaw/2020CRSM.

The book is part of the Cognella Series on Family and Gender-Based Violence, an interdisciplinary collection of textbooks featuring cross-cultural perspectives, cutting-edge strategies and interventions, and timely research on family and gender-based violence. Paperback, e-book and spiral bound editions are available.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.