Prior Sexual Victimization and Disclosure of Campus Sexual Violence Among College Students

Background: Although research has demonstrated that exposure to sexual violence before college is common among victims of sexual violence in college, the issue of revictimization is largely absent from discussions about campus sexual assault. This study poses two related research questions: (1) Among undergraduate students at a northeastern university, what is the effect of prior sexual victimization on experiences of any sexual violence in college? (2) Among victims of sexual violence in college, does prior victimization affect disclosure about the victimization in college?

Methods: Data were collected in an online survey of undergraduate and graduate students at a northeastern university in the fall of 2014. The survey measured students’ attitudes, behaviors, and experiences regarding sexual assault and university climate. Respondents were asked about experiences of unwanted sexual contact before beginning college. Subsequent questions asked about specific types of sexual violence since enrollment, including: sexual violence with force or threat of force; attempted sexual violence with force or threat of force; and sexual violence occurring when they were unable to consent.

All students enrolled on the university’s main campus (N=41,815) were invited to participate over the 17-day administration period; a 28% response rate was achieved. This study’s sample is restricted to undergraduate students ages 17-24 (n=8,217). Descriptive statistics were computed, and logistic regressions and chi-square analyses were conducted to answer the research questions.

Results: Nearly one in five students (17%) in the sample reported some form of unwanted sexual contact before college. A slightly smaller percentage (12%) reported experiencing at least one type of sexual violence in college.

Logistic regression indicated that students reporting prior victimization had over 5 times greater odds of experiencing sexual violence in college than those who did not, controlling for other demographic factors (OR=5.33, p<.001). Prior victimization predicted campus sexual violence over and above any other variables, including gender.

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of students who experienced sexual violence in college told someone about what happened to them. Of these, nearly all (93%) told close friends or roommates, while far fewer (17%) disclosed to campus resources. Chi-square difference testing did not reveal a significant difference in disclosures between those with and those without prior victimization.

Conclusions: Findings confirm research identifying a positive relationship between sexual violence prior to and after enrolling in college. Results confirm that many students have experienced sexual violence before their first day of school, placing them at greater risk for future victimization. Campus entities responding to sexual violence and social workers engaged in treatment with college students should consider ways to actively meet the needs of students who may be recovering from previous trauma.

Students with prior experience of sexual violence appear no more or less likely to disclose about victimization in college. When disclosures do occur, they are most likely among peers. These findings inform efforts to address sexual assault on college campuses, suggesting the need for increased peer education to better equip students to support friends who experience sexual violence and connect them with campus resources.