Prof publishes book on acquaintance rape

The media dubbed the 1960s a "sexual revolution," but Anthropology Professor Peggy Sanday speaks of a second sexual revolution going on now -- one which she believes to be bigger than its predecessor. Sanday's new book, A Woman Scorned: Acquaintance Rape on Trial, outlines pertinent rape trials in order to examine historical perspectives on male and female sexuality. But as collegiate anti-rape activism becomes more wide-spread, these sexual stereotypes are usurped, Sanday concludes in the book, which is being published today. "I show in my book that although more women started having pre-marital sex in the 1960s, the basic attitudes toward sexuality did not change," Sanday said. "What's happening in the campus peer-sex education movement is revolutionary in that it truly changes the way students think about sexuality." Although college activism has accomplished a great deal, it has just begun to change sexual attitudes, according to Sanday. "Affirmative consent will take precedence over the idea of 'no means no'," Sanday predicted. "Both parties of the sexual interaction will have wait to hear a 'yes'." Sanday commended programs such as the University's Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape as models for campuses throughout the nation. According to Student Health Educator Kurt Conklin, STAAR's advisor, the group conducts an average of one workshop per week on acquaintance rape and healthy sexual relationships. Traditionally, workshops are held for groups of students living in residence halls and within the Greek community, but any student organization is welcome to request a workshop. "We believe that men and women together can solve the problem," Conklin said. "The fact is the majority of rapists are men -- we have to reach the rapists." Workshops also emphasize support skills needed to help rape victims, he added. "Most people obviously want to be supportive and helpful, but not every one has these skills," Conklin explained. "We definitely believe that people can learn them." Sanday said that while the University's rape education programs are exemplary, her praise extends to American college campuses in general. "I have visited many campuses and am constantly impressed," said Sanday. "This means that sexual norms are no longer defined mainly by males, but are thought through by both sexes." Director of Health Education Susan Villari, however, cited Penn as a "leader in response to and in prevention of rape." Villari, who is also a former advisor to STAAR, agreed with Sanday's claim that anti-rape activism on college campuses is revolutionary. Currently, Villari and College graduate Jodi Gold are compiling an anthology of rape stories which deal with various aspects of rape, including the role of men, universities' rape policies and legislative issues.