Risk of Rape Across the Ecosystem: Outlining a Framework for Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and Resistance Education

Edwards, Katie M.; Sessarego, Stephanie N.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-805389-8.00003-7

Cited by 6 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 128 publications

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“…Our findings are consistent with literature that suggests that childhood sexual abuse increases vulnerability for adult sexual assault through different pathways, including impacts on risk perceptions, sexual risk-taking, and behavioural responses [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 24 , 52 ]. The impacts of traumatic exposures and childhood sexual abuse on adult harmful alcohol use, the role of alcohol intoxication in reducing sexual assault risk recognition, and increasing sexual victimisation are well documented [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 10 , 14 , 52 ]. Engaging in risky behaviours also indirectly impacted mental health, consistent with previous research that indicated the clustering of harmful alcohol use and depressive symptoms among youths who engage in risky sexual behaviours [ 2 , 20 , 22 , 53 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Hitherto, research was needed to understand female students’ vulnerability to SV across different higher education institutions in South Africa, including the more resource-poor Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. Such research is essential to inform comprehensive policies and SV interventions in South African settings [ 2 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research conducted in other countries, including the United States of America and Canada, has shown that the individual characteristics which increase students’ vulnerability to SV include being female, gender-binary non-conformant, coming from poorer community settings, being in the first year of enrolment, being younger, having a disability and exhibiting symptoms of mental ill-health [ 1 , 7 – 9 ]. Students with histories of sexual victimisation are more likely to experience SV compared to students without previous experiences [ 1 , 2 ]. Engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours increases SV vulnerability through interactions with or being targeted by potential perpetrators [ 1 , 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Students with histories of sexual victimisation are more likely to experience SV compared to students without previous experiences [ 1 , 2 ]. Engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours increases SV vulnerability through interactions with or being targeted by potential perpetrators [ 1 , 2 ]. Female students who abuse alcohol are more vulnerable to SV, and perpetrators are more likely to attack those who are alcohol-incapacitated [ 1 , 2 , 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours increases SV vulnerability through interactions with or being targeted by potential perpetrators [ 1 , 2 ]. Female students who abuse alcohol are more vulnerable to SV, and perpetrators are more likely to attack those who are alcohol-incapacitated [ 1 , 2 , 10 ]. Previous qualitative studies conducted on South African university campuses found similar vulnerability factors and showed the influence of lower socioeconomic status [ 11 – 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors associated with female students’ past year experience of sexual violence in South African public higher education settings: A cross-sectional study

et al. 2021

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Background Intimate partner sexual violence and non-partner rape experiences are widely reported by female students in South African higher education institutions, as they are globally. However, limited research has focused on investigating vulnerability factors, which is vital for informing interventions. Objective To describe the factors and inter-relationships associated with female students’ increased vulnerability to past year experience of partner sexual violence and non-partner rape in South African higher education settings. Methods We interviewed 1293 female students, i.e., 519 students in six Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college campuses and 774 students at three university campuses. Participants were volunteers aged 18–30. The measured vulnerability factors included childhood sexual abuse, other trauma, mental ill-health, risky sexual behaviours, food insecurity, partner violence, and controlling behaviours. We used bivariate analysis, logistic regression, and structural equation modelling methods. Results Twenty percent of participants experienced past-year sexual violence (17% partner sexual violence and 7.5% non-partner rape). Childhood sexual abuse had direct effects on experiencing past year sexual violence and physical, emotional partner violence or controlling behaviours. Risky sexual behaviours mediated the relationships of childhood sexual abuse or harmful alcohol use and past-year sexual violence experience. Mental ill-health mediated the relationships between childhood sexual abuse, other traumatic exposures, food insecurity, physical, emotional partner violence or controlling behaviours, and past-year partner sexual violence or non-partner rape experience. Conclusions Risky sexual behaviours, gender inequitable relationship dynamics, mental ill-health, and food insecurity are related and amenable vulnerability factors associated with female students’ sexual violence experiences. Therefore, addressing these through comprehensive campus interventions, which are implemented when students first enrol in higher education and are most vulnerable to sexual violence, is critical. Society-wide sexual violence prevention is also imperative.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors associated with female students’ past year experience of sexual violence in South African public higher education settings: A cross-sectional study

et al. 2021

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Open pilot trial of an interactive digital application for campus sexual violence prevention

Orchowski

Zinzow

Thompson

et al. 2023

Journal Community Psychology

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Digital applications, or “serious games” for health address learning goals in a cognitively active, interactive manner, with the potential for widespread dissemination. This study used a mixed methods approach to develop and conduct a formative evaluation of a digital application for sexual assault prevention. Make a change is a digital application that uses the principles of games for health to foster learning, engagement, and skill‐building around risk and protective factors for sexual victimization, sexual aggression, and bystander intervention. The digital application includes four narrative chapters, six embedded activities, as well as a user‐derived change plan in which individuals establish goals for behavior change following program completion. This multisite study at a 2‐ and a 4‐year college utilized student interviews (n = 14), stakeholder interviews (n = 10), and focus groups with students (n = 40) to inform intervention development. A total of 41 college students then participated in an open trial and completed self‐report surveys (pre, post, and 1‐month follow‐up) to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, utility, and preliminary outcomes. Most of the sample reported enjoyment, usefulness, and perceived competence after completing the application. Data evidenced a trend to reduce the frequency of heavy drinking, and perceptions of social norms evidenced change over time. Findings support the feasibility and effectiveness of this novel format for the delivery of sexual assault prevention programming.

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New Environmental Approaches to Preventing Sexual Assault: Building on a History of Individual-Level Interventions

Taylor¹,

Mumford²

2020

Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan

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Risk of Rape Across the Ecosystem: Outlining a Framework for Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and Resistance Education

Cited by 6 publications

References 128 publications

Factors associated with female students’ past year experience of sexual violence in South African public higher education settings: A cross-sectional study

Factors associated with female students’ past year experience of sexual violence in South African public higher education settings: A cross-sectional study

Open pilot trial of an interactive digital application for campus sexual violence prevention

New Environmental Approaches to Preventing Sexual Assault: Building on a History of Individual-Level Interventions

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