Preventing campus sexual assault could start in kindergarten

An allegation of gang rape at a Cornell University fraternity party in 2024 has renewed debate about campus sexual assault and how to prevent it. The author argues that tougher laws and more punitive campus processes have not stopped persistently high rates of assault, and says prevention should include teaching young people how to build respectful relationships.

The article advocates comprehensive sex education that covers boundaries, refusing unwanted advances, open communication and mutual consent, alongside contraception and STI prevention. It says this approach is required in only seven US states and should begin earlier, following national standards; the author also describes college cases in which poor communication, inexperience and substance use contribute to harmful encounters.