Defining Sexual Assault, Consent, and Resources to Empower Students: A DNP Project

Abstract Sexual assault (SA) remains a pervasive issue on college campuses in the United States, often compounded by underreporting and a lack of knowledge about available resources. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aims to educate first-year college students about SA, sexual consent, and available resources to empower students in preventing assaults and seeking help when needed. The intervention, which was integrated into mandatory freshman seminars at a four-year university, was guided by Knowles' Adult Learning Theory. A presentation provided critical information, and knowledge gains were assessed through pre- and post-presentation surveys. Initial findings indicated significant increases in understanding of SA definitions, consent, and resource availability. This project shows the importance of early education and institutional collaboration in addressing sexual violence on campuses, with the potential for sustained impact through ongoing program implementation. Keywords: sexual assault, sexual consent, sexual violence, campus resources, first-year college students freshmen education, Title IX