255535 Recognition of consensual sex among college students: Implications for sexual assault

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Kristina Brummund, MS MSW LGSW LADC , Self-Employed, Private Practice, Indian Rocks Beach, FL
Dawn Larsen, PhD MCHES , Department of Health Science, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, MN
Amy S. Hedman, PhD, MCHES , Department of Health Science, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, MN
Jennifer Pepperell, PhD NCC LPC(MO) , Department of Counseling and Student Personnel, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, MN
Autumn Hamilton, HSD , Department of Health Science, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, MN
Research explored college students' engagement in “hooking-up” (brief sexual encounters between minimally acquainted people) and ability to differentiate boundaries between consensual sex and sexual assault. Surveys focused on consensual sex, sexual assault, and “hooking-up.” Six survey scenarios depicted verbal/ non-verbal cues for sexual advancement, asking if sexual consent was given. Section 2 measured ability to recognize sexual assault using the original scenarios plus an additional 4 including unsolicited sexual touch and oral sex. Questions in section 3 related to “hooking-up” and alcohol consumption. Analysis included descriptive data, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, and Levene's test for variances to determine significance for correlational research questions. A total of 215 male and female undergraduate students participated (33.8% male, 66.2% female). Mean age was twenty-one. Results: 86% of students accurately recognized consensual sex and 63.7% accurately recognized sexual assault. A total of 40.5% reported “hooking-up” in the last 12 months. Comparing students who engaged in “hooking-up” with those who did not “hook-up” and their ability to recognize consensual sex and sexual assault did not show significant differences. Results showed a significant correlation between “hooking-up” and being under the influence of alcohol. Men and women reported similar perceptions of being victimized sexually or believing they may have been sexually assaulted during a “hook-up”. Results reinforce the need to emphasize the correlation between alcohol consumption, "hooking up" and sexual assault. Results also indicate unwanted sexual touching seems to be "normalized' and students need skills in both verbal and non-verbal communication of sexual intent.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe the practice of "hooking up." Differentiate between consensual sex and sexual assault. Explain the correlation between alcohol consumption and "hooking up."

Keywords: Sexual Assault, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because, as a doctorally prepared university faculty member, I teach and publish in the field of health promotion and oversee graduate student research. I am Professor, Graduate Program Coordinator at the Minnesota State University - Makato. My interest areas include Community Health, Sexuality Education, Health Behavior.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.