Sexual Assault, Campus Resource Use, and Psychological Distress in Undergraduate Women

Abstract

Undergraduate women are at high risk of experiencing sexual assault during their college years. Research has established a strong link between sexual victimization and psychological distress. Although the relationship between sexual victimization and distress has been established, little is known about how the use of university-affiliated sexual assault resources influences mental health outcomes for survivors. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to describe the characteristics of women who used campus survivor resources following a sexual assault during college, examine correlates of campus resource use, and examine correlates and predictors of mental health of women who have been sexually assaulted during college. An online anonymous survey was sent to undergraduate women at two public universities in a mid-Atlantic state. Participants were female, undergraduate students ( N = 362) who had been sexually assaulted during their time at college. Few women ( n = 98, 27.1%) used campus resources following a sexual assault. We found significant relationships between participants’ use of campus survivor resources and experiencing a sexual assault prior to entering college, experiencing more severe sexual assaults, acknowledging the assault as a rape, feeling more self-blame, and experiencing more psychological distress. Campus resource use was significantly associated with poorer mental health outcomes. The cross-sectional nature of this study limited our ability to explore the reason for this. Further research is needed to explore the role campus resources play in supporting survivors during the recovery process. Given the high rate of sexual assaults on college campuses and the known negative psychological impact of sexual assault, it is imperative that campuses offer resources that are effective in meeting the needs of survivors.

Structural Barriers to Accessing the Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) Offices at the University of California (UC) Campuses

“…Many of those who disclosed their experiences of violence spoke highly of the CARE Advocates and shared how healing and supportive they were. The association of campus sexual violence resources and increased mental health outcomes has been supported in the literature (Eisenberg et al, 2016;Graham et al, 2019). Because survivors are more likely to report if they receive support from and work with an Advocate and the resulting beneficial mental health outcomes (Dunlap et al, 2018), campus sexual violence resource centers should work to ensure that the number of Advocates adequately serve their campus population to best support survivors and keep perpetrators accountable.…”

“…A substantial body of research confirms that college sexual violence resources, such as CARE, support student survivors through their focus on advocacy and healing. Graham et al (2019) found that college students who utilize these resources after experiencing sexual violence have improved mental health outcomes compared to their peers who did not. The existence of these resources are especially important when considering that survivors are at increased risk of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, and substance abuse (Campbell et al, 2009).…”

Resilience and Resistance in the Campus Sexual Assault Literature

“…Most literature on CSA has focused on prevalence and prevention efforts, with less research focused on victim-survivors' lived experiences of resilience and post-assault life in the context of campus environments (Brubaker et al, 2017;Fedina et al, 2018;Graham et al, 2019;Moylan & Javorka, 2020;Perkins & Warner, 2017). Research is limited in studying how students practice agency and respond to CSA, including displays of resilience from ecological and strengths-based perspectives (Germain, 2016;Moylan & Javorka, 2020).…”

Correlates of Support Utilization After Experiencing a Sexual Assault Among College Women and Men

“…Studies have explored how sexual assault type impacts the likelihood of disclosing to formal and informal sources (Graham et al, 2021; Krebs et al, 2007; Sabina & Ho, 2014). For example, studies have shown that survivors who experienced a forced physical assault were more likely to utilize formal services (Graham et al, 2021; Krebs et al, 2007).…”