141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

279904
Victimization and perpetration in a sample of college age men and women

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM

Jodi Sutherland, MS, RN , Decker School of Nursing, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
Purpose: Sexual violence is a public health problem. There is research on sexual violence victimization but less data on perpetration. The purpose of this analysis is to describe rates of victimization and perpetration of various forms of sexual violence in a sample of college students. Design: This descriptive study used a cross sectional survey design to describe victimization and perpetration. Sample: 1,980 male and female students from three universities in the United States. Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, students were contacted through email or through voluntary, convenience social gatherings. Each participant completed a questionnaire to gather background data and the Sexual Experiences Survey - Victimization and Perpetration. Data was analyzed using SPSS (20.0). Results: Thirty-six percent of the men and women had been a victim of some form of sexual violence. Victims were mostly women (42.6%, n= 536) as compared to men (28.8%, n= 165). Five percent of men and women reported perpetrating sexual violence. Of those who report perpetration acts, 10.5% (n=60) were men and 3.2% (n= 40) were women. The most frequently reported forms of sexual violence among the victims and perpetrators was fondled, kissed, or rubbed up against the private areas of the body or removed clothing without consent, and encouraged/pressured to drink with the intention of having sex. Conclusion: Sexual violence affects men and women---victimization and perpetration. Describing victimization and perpetration of various forms of sexual violence will increase awareness among college communities and help move college campuses towards a response.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Public health or related nursing

Learning Objectives:
Describe victimization and perpetration of various forms of sexual experiences in a sample of college students.

Keywords: College Students, Sexual Assault

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a PhD student, I have been assisted, by Dr. Gale Spencer, a funded grant writer. She has assisted me in the preparation of the presentation topics including sexual violence, sexual risk behaviors, and health consequences. I have collaborated with the principal and co-principle investigators of this research project while focusing on the victimization and perpetration. My dissertation focus will be in sexual health and the impact of sexual risk behaviors.
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.