Beyond Clery Act Statistics

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among victimization, demographic characteristics, and activity choices in a cross-sectional sample of 479 undergraduate students. In the sample, 74% was female and 65% was Caucasian, with an even distribution of ages ranging from 18 to 22+ years; all participants completed an online survey. Using survey feedback, the study team performed multivariate regression analysis and reported quantity and type of victimization experiences in relation to factors that may contribute to identifying groups at risk for experiencing violence. Findings suggest that gender, grade point average, and membership in student organizations or Greek-letter organizations influence students' potential for different types of victimization. Furthermore, alcohol use and household income did not have a statistically significant relationship with any victimization types. Finally, rates reported indicate student underreporting and illustrate difficulty implementing the Clery Act. Policy recommendations, future research, and limitations are discussed. With accurate victimization data, resources and services may be more efficiently allocated to meet the needs of students at greater risk for victimization.

It isn't all just fun and games: Collegiate participation in extracurricular activities and risk for generalized and sexual harassment, psychological distress, and alcohol use

“…More recent studies have linked sorority membership with increased likelihood of sexual assault, including rape (Franklin, 2010; Minow & Einolf, 2009). Still, others have found that Greek members are not more likely to experience sexual coercion (physical contact) than the general population; this may be attributed to mandated date rape education in the Greek systems (Gardella et al, 2015; Sawyer, Schulken, & Pinciaro, 1997). Regarding other types of peer harassment, Allan and Madden (2012) reported that a specific form of bullying, hazing, was reported by a majority of Greek members (73% reported experiencing at least one type of hazing behavior).…”

“…In regards to examined outcomes, the studies cited above have primarily chosen to examine either physical harassment (e.g., Peguero, 2009), highly specific types of bullying restricted to a certain period of time (e.g., hazing; Allan & Madden, 2012), or physical types of sexual assault or coercion (e.g., Franklin, 2010; Gardella et al, 2015). Although intramural sports and school club participants self-report more physical types of generalized harassment victimization (e.g., Peguero, 2009); it is still unclear whether they are at risk to experience more broadly defined generalized harassment, and whether collegiate level participants are at a similar risk to be victims of harassment.…”

Sexual Violence Among College Students Attending a Nonresidential Campus

“…Female students are more likely than their male peers to report sexual victimization of any type (Cantor et al, 2015). Gardella et al (2014) found that rates of sexual violence among female students were 4 times as high as those of male students. In the AAU study (Cantor et al, 2015), rates of sexual violence among female students were more than 3 times as high as those of male students.…”

The Clery Act on Campus: Status Update and Gender Implications

“…Within the discussion and literature surrounding the Clery Act, there is research on victimization among college women (Gardella et al, 2015). Much of the existing research on the Clery Act has surrounded rape, stalking, harassment, and sexual conduct, and women are typically the subjects of these studies (Gardella et al).…”

“…Without further research and studies regarding the particular victimization experienced by such factors as race and gender, gaps remain in the literature surrounding the Clery Act (Gardella et al, 2015). As a society, we must change the environment in order to encourage more college students to report crimes.…”