The Hunting Ground

The Hunting Ground examines how rape and sexual assault unfold on college campuses and how many institutions respond when complaints arise. The film gathers the voices of survivors, activists, and advocates who push for accountability while facing resistance from administrators, legal obstacles, and social backlash. Through personal testimonies and investigative reporting, it traces the toll of assault on students, their education, and their families, while probing gaps in reporting, investigation, and consequences for perpetrators. The movement toward reform is depicted without sensationalism, focusing on lived experiences and the uphill battles that follow violations, as well as the broader public debate about meaningful change and safer campuses. It also situates survivor voices within a wider campus culture.

Released in 2015 and directed by Kirby Dick, The Hunting Ground is an original documentary that compiles interviews with survivors, student activists, and academics to illuminate how campuses handle sexual assault and what reforms may be needed across the country.

Awards: The Hunting Ground earned broad critical praise and found nominations at multiple film festivals and industry ceremonies, underscoring its role in sparking a national conversation about campus sexual assault and institutional accountability, while highlighting advocacy work behind the film. It reflects growing attention to advocacy work nationwide.

Cultural impact: The film mobilized activists and alumni, shaping policy discussions around Title IX procedures and campus safety. It helped propel student led campaigns and brought survivors perspectives into classrooms, media, and boardrooms, turning awareness into calls for concrete changes and long term reform across campuses nationwide.

Reception and themes: Critics praised the film for its direct testimony and its critique of how power and policy shape justice on campus. Core topics include survivor credibility, accountability, and the tension between protecting students and pursuing education, while debates about due process and institutional incentives surface throughout today.