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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Jhumka Gupta, MPH¹, Jay G. Silverman, PhD¹, and Anita Raj, PhD². (1) Division of Public Health Practice/Department of Society, Human Development & Health, Harvard University, 677 Huntington Ave., Kresge 705, Boston, MA 02115, 617-432-6344, jgupta@hsph.harvard.edu, (2) Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St., T2W, Boston, MA 02118

Background: National studies indicate that 21% of college women report violence by a current partner, and 3-16% of college women are sexually assaulted each year (Fisher et al, 2000). Epidemiological data on specific racial/ethnic groups in the US, particularly South Asians, are lacking. Recent research has identified adult South Asian women to be at high risk for IPV (Raj and Silverman, 2002); however, no work has been conducted to explore how IPV may impact South Asian college students

Objective: The conduct an exploratory study of dating violence (physical and sexual) among university students of South Asian decent (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Bhutanese, Nepalese, Maldives Islanders) in greater Boston.

Methods: An anonymous, web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted with 90 South Asians students attending universities in greater Boston. The survey assessed demographics, dating behavior, and sexual assault.

Results: The sample was predominantly female (65%), 89% undergraduate students, 62% US born. 40% reported having dated in college, 55% without parental knowledge. 9% of those with a college dating history reported physical IPV victimization 7% reported sexual assault victimization (all were female). 29% of the respondents reported an interest in receiving more general information about dating violence. .

Conclusion: A high percentage of South Asian students in this small sample reported IPV victimization, both physical and sexual. Research with representative samples is needed to further assess IPV among South Asian university students. Culturally appropriate outreach strategies (both university-based and within South Asian communities) should be considered.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss attitudes and perceptions of Dating Violence among South Asian American College Students
• Describe prevalence of IPV among South Asian American college students.

Keywords: Violence, Asian Americans

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation