Sexual Assault on the College Campus: The Role of Male Peer Support. (1997). Martin D. Schwartz. and Walter S. DeKeseredy. Sage. 230 pp., $44.95 (paperback). ISBN 0-8039-7027-7.

Reviewed by: Lori Fitzenberger

Academic Advisor

University of Wisconsin , Milwaukee

When students arrive on college campuses for the first time, one would hope that they would not have to worry about sexual assault. In Sexual Assault on the College Campus, Martin D. Schwartz and Walter S. DeKeseredy explore the topic of sexual assault on campus. More specifically, they look at the peer support men receive to commit sexual acts. Through research, the authors look at how sexual assault happens, why it happens, and what can be done to prevent it.

The authors concentrated on how men who abuse women associate with peers who hold the same beliefs (p. 2) and how peers often encourage these acts. Alcohol use is common for students on college campuses (p. 98), and generally it is involved when sexual assault occurs. The authors focused on fraternities and sports teams and the crucial role each plays in sexual abuse. Schwartz and DeKeseredy maintain that alcohol use is common in both groups and that peers within each group often encourage and justify sexual assault (p. 161). While the authors focused more of their attention on fraternities, I would have been interested to learn more about the role, if any, that coaches and players have in sexual assault on campus.

Although not a handbook to help identify assault victims, this book stands out because of its concise and easy-to-understand explanation of sexual assault on campus. Firsthand accounts from women who were sexually assaulted gave depth to the description of the problem. The authors devoted a chapter (Chapter 2) to the examination of different sexual assault theories and how these theories have changed over time. Then they looked beyond the individuals who commit assaults to focus on other factors that contribute to these acts. Schwartz and DeKeseredy suggest that these contributing factors need further research.

I would recommend this book to all individuals within higher education, not just advisors. All in the academy need to be aware of what can be done to prevent sexual assault and the influence that peer groups have over young people on college campuses.