Sexual assault incidents among college undergraduates: Prevalence and factors associated with risk

Abstract

Sexual assault on college campuses is a public health issue. However varying research methodologies (e.g., different sexual assault definitions, measures, assessment timeframes) and low response rates hamper efforts to define the scope of the problem. To illuminate the complexity of campus sexual assault, we collected survey data from a large population-based random sample of undergraduate students from Columbia University and Barnard College in New York City, using evidence based methods to maximize response rates and sample representativeness, and behaviorally specific measures of sexual assault to accurately capture victimization rates. This paper focuses on student experiences of different types of sexual assault victimization, as well as sociodemographic, social, and risk environment correlates. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used to estimate prevalences and test associations. Since college entry, 22% of students reported experiencing at least one incident of sexual assault (defined as sexualized touching, attempted penetration [oral, anal, vaginal, other], or completed penetration). Women and gender nonconforming students reported the highest rates (28% and 38%, respectively), although men also reported sexual assault (12.5%). Across types of assault and gender groups, incapacitation due to alcohol and drug use and/or other factors was the perpetration method reported most frequently (> 50%); physical force (particularly for completed penetration in women) and verbal coercion were also commonly reported. Factors associated with increased risk for sexual assault included non-heterosexual identity, difficulty paying for basic necessities, fraternity/sorority membership, participation in more casual sexual encounters (“hook ups”) vs. exclusive/monogamous or no sexual relationships, binge drinking, and experiencing sexual assault before college. High rates of re-victimization during college were reported across gender groups. Our study is consistent with prevalence findings previously reported. Variation in types of assault and methods of perpetration experienced across gender groups highlight the need to develop prevention strategies tailored to specific risk groups.

Are the Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes Valid for Cancer Risk Assessment in a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Sample of Women?

“…Men were not included in the study because, while both women and men can be assaulted, sexual assault is a significant problem for women. 17,18 Data for the primary study were collected between November 11, 2008 to January 15, 2014. Secondary data analysis was completed in February 2018.…”

Restorative responses to campus sexual harm: promising practices and challenges

“…Class may have a relationship to students' vulnerability to sexual assault. Recently published research from Columbia University found that both women and men who had difficulty paying for basic necessities reported higher rates of penetrative sexual assault, and women in this group had higher rates of experiencing any form of sexual harm (Mellins et al, 2017).…”

“…A college woman who attends a school with a high percentage of students who are 'heavy episodic drinkers' has 1.8-fold increased odds of experiencing sexual assault (Mohler-Kuo, Dowdall, Koss & Wechsler, 2004). Students who engage in frequent heavy drinking are at higher risk for experiencing sexual assault (Mellins et al, 2017;Ray, Tyler & Simons, 2018). School policies that decrease alcohol consumption are linked to lowered rates of sexual assault (Lippy & DeGue, 2014).…”

The Affirmative “Yes”. Sexual Offense Based on Consent

“…Sexual harassment exists and is increasingly in the public eye. It subsists in universities (Valls et al, 2017), political parties (Mellins et al, 2017), the media, and in all social spaces (WHO, 2017). The latest study of the Academy of Sciences shows this reality in scientific areas of knowledge (The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, 2018).…”