Online Dating and the Risk of Sexual Assault to College Students

Scannell, Meredith

doi:10.18061/bhac.v3i1.6688

Cited by 20 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(33 reference statements)

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“…It seems that young adults are most at risk for online and offline sexual violence (ABS, 2013;Duggan, 2014;. According to several sources, this could be attributed to their risky dating behaviours (National Crime Agency, 2016;Rowse et al, 2020;Scannell, 2019). Due to its popularity amongst young adults, the study adopts a theme of online romantic interactions, but it appears most adult victims are women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An exploratory study of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence in online romantic interactions: Can the Internet's toxic disinhibition exacerbate sexual aggression?

Zhong

Kebbell

Webster

2020

Computers in Human Behavior

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An exploratory study of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence in online romantic interactions: Can the Internet's toxic disinhibition exacerbate sexual aggression?

Zhong

Kebbell

Webster

2020

Computers in Human Behavior

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“…Further, while many studies assessing health correlates focus more narrowly on depression and anxiety symptoms, we also assessed self-esteem, loneliness, and perceived control which represents a more comprehensive investigation of well-being. These research questions were also examined in a sample of college students, a group known to be more likely to use dating apps and experience more sexual violence compared to other populations (Anderson, 2020;Fedina et al, 2018;Scannell, 2019).…”

Section: Strength Limitations and Suggestions For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies conducted in both the United States and Australia have also found that dating app use substantially increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (Coombe et al, 2021;Stunson, 2020) further prompting a need to understand individuals' dating app experiences. This is particularly important to investigate among college students, because more than half of college students use dating apps and this population is disproportionally impacted by sexual violence (Beauchamp, 2017;Choi et al, 2016;Scannell, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

College Students’ Experiences of Dating App Facilitated Sexual Violence and Associations with Mental Health Symptoms and Well-Being

Echevarria

Peterson

Woerner

2022

The Journal of Sex Research

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Dating app facilitated sexual violence (DAFSV) includes behaviors such as unwanted sexual comments/harassment, unsolicited sexual photos, and gender/sexuality-based harassment -and could extend to sexual violence when meeting partners face-to-face. The effects of sexual violence on mental health are well-established, however, research on DAFSV is limited. The goal of the current study is to understand college students' experiences of DAFSV and investigate cross-sectional associations with indicators of mental health (i.e., depression and anxiety symptoms) and well-being (i.e., self-esteem, loneliness, perceived control). Participants were college students in the United States who used dating app (N = 277) and identified primarily as women (64.6%) and heterosexual/straight (74.0%). Most participants (88.4%) selfreported at least one instance of DAFSV. Women (vs. men) and sexual minority (vs. heterosexual/straight) individuals experienced more frequent DAFSV. Regression analyses indicated that DAFSV frequency was associated with higher depression and anxiety symptoms, higher loneliness, lower self-esteem, and lower perceived control. This study highlights the importance of DAFSV for a broad range of well-being indicators. Given that dating apps are one of the most common means of meeting partners, research is needed to better understand these initial interactions, prevent DAFSV from occurring, and mitigate the impact of DAFSV on health outcomes.

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“…With dating apps, this form of vetting does not occur. Users of online dating services are unable to determine whether another user has a criminal background based on dating app profiles (Scannell, 2019). Users can change or enhance their profiles to appear more desirable (Scannell, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dating App Facilitated Sexual Assault: A Retrospective Review of Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination Charts

Valentine

Hamblin

Gibbons

2022

J Interpers Violence

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Dating app facilitated sexual assault (DAppSA) is a concerning phenomenon with minimal published research. This retrospective study explored if DAppSAs were different than other sexual assaults (SAs) committed by acquaintances through a review of 3,413 sexual assault medical forensic examination (SAMFE) charts from 2017 to 2020 in a Mountain West state in the United States. Routine Activities Theory and Confluence Model of sexual aggression provided the theoretical framework for the study. Inclusion criteria for DAppSA cases included (1) victim was 14 years of age or older; (2) victim indicated meeting the perpetrator on a dating app; (3) SA occurred at initial in-person meeting; and (4) victim had a SAMFE with SA kit evidence collection. DAppSAs ( n = 274) represented 8.02% of overall cases and 13.92% of acquaintance SAs ( n = 1,968). DAppSA victims had unique characteristics including a higher percentage of male victims (7.5%), college students (22.2%), and victims with self-reported mental illness (MI) (59.6%). Victims were less likely to fight back during the assault with lower percentages of kicking (5.8%) and hitting (9%). DAppSA victims and perpetrators were less likely to use drugs or alcohol before or during the assault. DAppSAs were found to be more violent SAs with increased strangulation (32.4%); assaultive/penetrative acts; and victim injuries, especially anogenital and breast injuries. Unique and troubling differences were found in DAppSA cases than other SAs committed by acquaintances. Due to the increased violent nature of DAppSAs, the researchers propose that sexual predators use dating apps as hunting grounds for vulnerable victims. Recommendations to address dating app safety concerns, influence dating app usage policies, and improve care to survivors are discussed through systems-based and trauma-informed approaches.

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Online Dating and the Risk of Sexual Assault to College Students

Cited by 20 publications

References 20 publications

An exploratory study of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence in online romantic interactions: Can the Internet's toxic disinhibition exacerbate sexual aggression?

An exploratory study of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence in online romantic interactions: Can the Internet's toxic disinhibition exacerbate sexual aggression?

College Students’ Experiences of Dating App Facilitated Sexual Violence and Associations with Mental Health Symptoms and Well-Being

Dating App Facilitated Sexual Assault: A Retrospective Review of Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination Charts

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