Abstract:
The objectives of this study are to investigate the rape myth among college students, and to propose the guidelines for preventing and addressing the rape problems within a university. This study employed a mixed-methods approach by integrating qualitative and quantitative data collections and analyses. The quantitative sample included 400 college students in Bangkok, while the qualitative sample consisted of 20 participants including college administrators, instructors, college staff, and college students. Questionnaires and indepth interview forms were used to collect the data. The findings revealed a high level of the rape myth among college students. Being a female was at risk of being raped at any time, any place, and any age. There was no guarantee that acquaintances or intimate friends would not exploit the relationship. A lack of self-restraint was the major cause of rape. The judicial process in handling the rape should be improved and administrated effectively. The proper upbringing of young children and parenting could reduce the problem of rape myth. Therefore, the knowledge on the rape should be enhanced through a proper design and the improvement of public awareness and social communication. This study reflected the attitudes on gender equality and presented the analysis of the causes of rape based on the current situations in the society. The study proposed the recommendations including ducating the college students about human rights and gender equality to eliminate the misperception about the rape myth, avoiding wearing provocative outfits, being careful of intimate friends, promoting the campaigns against selling alcohol and drugs, controlling the distribution of pornography and sexual media within schools and surrounding areas, providing the public access to sexual misconduct statistics and data, and employing the environmental crime prevention to reduce the opportunities for sexual offenders, monitoring and reporting the suspicious events that might lead to the rape in schools. In addition, educational institutions should provide the complaint mechanisms and remedy channels for victims.