A cross‐sectional study examining the extent of unwanted sexual attention and unhealthy intimate relationships among female university students

Abstract

Unwanted sexual attention and unhealthy intimate relationships have the potential to have serious negative health consequences. To date, there has been scant focus on these issues among university students in Australia. The aim of the current study was to describe the extent of unwanted sexual attention and unhealthy intimate relationships experienced in their lifetime by female university students aged 18-25 years. A cross-sectional study was undertaken involving 465 female students aged 18-25 years. Students were recruited through one faculty within a Victorian university and invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. Sixty-seven per cent (n = 312) of female students reported experiencing unwanted sexual attention in their lifetime. The most common form of unwanted sexual attention was kissing or touching over clothes (98%; n = 306). Over 43% (n = 124) of the female students reported that the experience of unwanted sexual experience occurred after their protests were ignored. Thirty per cent (n = 135) of the female students reported experiencing at least one element of an unhealthy intimate relationship. The high rates of unwanted sexual attention and unhealthy intimate relationships among female university students is of concern given the negative impact such events can have on individual's physical, emotional and social well being. Public health and health promotion action is required to prevent female students from experiencing unwanted sexual attention and unhealthy intimate relationships, and to address the negative health and well being consequences.

My Physical Appearance at the Center of Others’ Concerns: What are the Consequences for Women’s Metadehumanization and Emotions?

“…Holland et al (2017) investigated a broader range of body evaluation behaviors (i.e., gazing, sexual remarks, catcalls/wolf whistles) and found that women report being the target of objectification behaviors once every two days. Studies on sexual harassment (Fairchild, 2010) and unwanted touching (Hayden, Graham, & Lamaro, 2016) also put forward that women are frequently exposed to such behaviors (see also, Gelfand, Fitzgerald, & Drasgow, 1995).…”

Friends, strangers, and bystanders: Informal practices of sexual assault intervention

“…Research suggests that campus sexual assault is a problem in both the Global South (Ogunwale & Oshiname, 2017; Schuster et al, 2016; D’Abreu et al, 2013; Lehrer, Lehrer, & Koss, 2013) and the Global North (Hayden et al, 2016; Krahé et al, 2015; Valls et al, 2016). Bystander interventions are one of the few prevention methods with some demonstrated efficacy (Banyard et al, 2009; Mabry, A., & Turner, M. M., 2015), and they are being rolled out at many U.S. institutions of higher education.…”

“…Sexual assault is a significant public health problem for undergraduates worldwide (D’Abreu, Krahé, & Bazon, 2013; Hayden, Graham, & Lamaro, 2016; Krahé et al, 2015; Ogunwale & Oshiname, 2017; Schuster, Krahé, Ilabaca Baeza, & Muñoz-Reyes, 2016; Valls, Puigvert, Melgar, & Garcia-Yeste, 2016). There is a dearth of evidence-based sexual-assault prevention, and bystander programs are one of the few strategies with some demonstrated efficacy at US universities (Banyard, Moynihan, & Crossman, 2009; Mabry, A., & Turner, M. M., 2015).…”

University Student Health and Wellbeing Study: A test‐retest reliability study of a web‐based survey investigating undergraduate student health and wellbeing

“…There have been limited population level surveys exploring the unique characteristics of, and influences on university students’ health in Australia 7‐9 . While issues such as alcohol consumption, tobacco use, sexual health and mental health have been individually investigated, few have been collected within a comprehensive survey of health issues using an online tool 5,10‐12 . However, comprehensive university student health survey data have been collected elsewhere, including the United States (US), Canada, United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland 13‐16 .…”

“…[7][8][9] While issues such as alcohol consumption, tobacco use, sexual health and mental health have been individually investigated, few have been collected within a comprehensive survey of health issues using an online tool. 5,[10][11][12] However, comprehensive university student health survey data have been collected elsewhere, including the United States (US), Canada, United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland. [13][14][15][16] These surveys have included topics from a range of health issues and risk factors, including student wellbeing, alcohol and tobacco use, mental health, sexual health, physical activity and nutrition.…”