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

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.