Why Sexual Assault Survivors Do Not Report to Universities: A Feminist Analysis

Abstract

The present study analyzed responses from 220 female survivors of sexual assault at a U.S. college campus. Guided by feminist thought, we used thematic analysis to analyze survivors' reasons for not reporting their sexual assault to university officials. Drawing on participants' own words, the most common reasons for not reporting included “It was not a big enough deal,” “I didn't know who to report to or that I could report,” “It wasn't related to the university,” “I was afraid,” “Because I was drunk,” “Too ashamed to report,” “I didn't want to get him in trouble,” and “Felt as if I would be blamed for putting myself in the situation.” We conducted a series of binary logistic regressions to determine which demographic and experiential variables were associated with the thematic reason(s) for not reporting. In the spirit of feminist praxis, we offer implications for universities to remove barriers for reporting sexual violence.

White Supremacy and the Web of Family Science: Implications of the Missing Spider

“…Of these articles, eight name the construct of White supremacy without defining it. In these cases, the term is used to describe a structuring element and social narrative of society and research (Acosta, ; Goldberg, Allen, Black, Frost, & Manley, ; Hagerman, ; Marks, ; Purcell, Oldham, Weiser, & Sharp, ; Rockquemore & Laszloffy, ; Sharp & Weaver, ; Spencer, Mallory, Toews, Stith, & Wood, ). In four articles, White supremacy receives a more nuanced introduction as an organizing theme that has created deleterious effects for the identities and daily lives of racially diverse families (Carroll, ; Karpman, Ruppel & Torres, ; Landor & Barr, ; Willetts, ).…”

“…Of these articles, eight name the construct of White supremacy without defining it. In these cases, the term is used to describe a structuring element and social narrative of society and research (Acosta, 2018;Goldberg, Allen, Black, Frost, & Manley, 2018;Hagerman, 2017;Marks, 2000;Purcell, Oldham, Weiser, & Sharp, 2017;Rockquemore & Laszloffy, 2003;Sharp & Weaver, 2015;Spencer, Mallory, Toews, Stith, & Wood, 2017).…”

Understanding the silence of sexual harassment victims through the #WhyIDidntReport movement

“…Related research that has been conducted on why victims do not report sexual violence generally takes a more focused approach. Some studies look at specific subgroups of victims [4], [9] or reporting [10] and most of them primarily use survey as the way for data collection. For instance, authors in [4], [10] examined why college women don't report their assault by surveying college women nationally or by surveying women on a specific college campus.…”

“…Researchers [4], [9], [10] and pertinent agencies (e.g., National Survey of Crime Victimization [NSCV]) have been trying to understand why victims do not report. Some of the common reasons which have been identified are-lack of information of where and how to report, fear of consequences, denial or minimization, etc.…”

What If a Resident or Medical Student Is Raped? Hospitals' and Academic Medical Centers' Title IX Obligations

“…Research has shown that victims recover best when they are able to make their own informed choices regarding treatment and reporting [23,24]. Some survivors may want support but no formal investigations or actions taken against their perpetrators [25,26]. Mandatory reporting policies thus might keep students and trainees from seeking treatment postassault for fear of triggering a formal investigation by the hospital or medical school.…”