Heather M. Karjane, Bonnie S. Fisher, and Francis T. Cullen

About the author: Heather M. Karjane is the director of health and human development programs at the Education Development Center, a nonprofit research organization in Newton, Massachusetts. Bonnie S. Fisher and Francis T. Cullen are professors of criminal justice at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.

Since one-in-five female college students are likely to suffer rape or attempted rape, American colleges must ensure that their sexual misconduct policies encourage rape victims to report assaults to authorities and give victims more control over the adjudication process. To support this effort, a Model Sexual Assault Policy Manual should be developed that colleges could adopt as a template for formulating better policies. In addition, programs that have proven to be effective in assisting victims of...