Deciding Where to Turn: A Qualitative Investigation of College Students’ Helpseeking Decisions After Sexual Assault

Abstract

Sexual assault is a widespread problem on college campuses that has been the subject of substantial attention in recent years (Ali, 2011; Krebs, Lindquist, Berzofsky, Shook-Sa, & Peterson, 2016). Resources designed to address the problem exist, but there is evidence that they are underutilized by survivors (Campbell, 2008). The current study used grounded theory to explore how sexual assault survivors make decisions about helpseeking. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 college sexual assault survivors to develop a theoretical model for their decision-making process. The resulting model, Deciding Where to Turn, suggests that survivors engage in three key decision points: determining if there is a problem related to the sexual assault (Do I Need Help), considering options (What Can I Do), and weighing the consequences of these options (What Will I Do). This process results in one of four behavioral choices: cope on one's own, seek support from friends/family, seek support from formal resources, or covert helpseeking, where needs are met without disclosure. Deciding Where to Turn contributes to the literature by providing a framework for understanding helpseeking decisions after sexual assault, highlighting the need to match reactions to survivor perceptions. The concept of covert helpseeking in particular adds to the way researchers and practitioners think about helpseeking. Research and practice implications are discussed.

Caracterização da violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes na escola - Brasil, 2010-2014

“…As a result, the numbers reported fall short of reality. 30 Despite the limitations mentioned, this article has brought important contributions by revealing, for the first time, reported sexual violence against children and adolescents in Brazilian schools. These findings are a valuable tool for planning and developing intersectorial actions to prevent violence and provide assistance to students.…”

Rape Myth Acceptance in Sexually Assaulted Adolescents' School Contexts: Associations with Depressed Mood and Alcohol Use

“…Importantly, though, even survivors who do not disclose or do not receive negative reactions upon disclosure may be aware of stigma in their social context as a result of conversations about topics including other survivors, media depictions of survivors, or SA generally (i.e., anticipatory stigma; Kennedy & Prock, ). As a result, they may anticipate that, should their peer group become aware of the assault, they would be stigmatized (DeLoveh & Cattaneo, ; Goffman, ; Overstreet & Quinn, ).…”

Bystander Response to Sexual Assault Disclosures in the U.S. Military: Encouraging Survivors to use Formal Resources

“…Although all forms of sexual assault are experienced as trauma and associated with psychological distress (Dworkin, Menon, Bystrynski, & Allen, ; Muldoon, Taylor, & Norma, ), our culture creates a narrow definition of “rape” (i.e., forcible penetration by a stranger) and minimizes less stereotypical assaults (Edwards, Turchik, Dardis, Reynolds, & Gidycz, ). Survivors who experience less stereotypical assaults or do not label the assault as a “rape” are less likely to seek help from formal supports (DeLoveh & Cattaneo, ; Fisher, Daigle, Cullen, & Turner, ; Zinzow & Thompson, ). Police officers are most willing to investigate sexual assaults that fit stereotypical notions of “real rape” experienced by a “perfect victim” (Shaw, Campbell, Cain, & Feeney, ; Venema, ).…”

“…The current study examined factors associated with Service members’ intentions to encourage MSA survivors to report the assault and seek mental health counseling. Encouraging survivors to take action after an assault may be experienced positively or negatively—depending on the survivors’ needs and their relationship with the informal support provider (e.g., DeLoveh & Cattaneo, )—but gaining an understanding of when bystanders may discuss formal resources with a survivor provides a helpful step toward elucidating disclosure experiences.…”

“…For instance, such formal resources do not always provide adequate care for MSA survivors (Campbell, ; Campbell & Raja, ). It can also be harmful if survivors feel an informal support provider is trying to force them to seek help (DeLoveh & Cattaneo, ). Nonetheless, the discussion of tangible aid can be helpful for survivors in informal disclosure interactions (Ahrens et al., ; Filipas & Ullman, ).…”