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Sexual assault is a pervasive problem on U.S. college campuses, garnering national attention. Campus sexual assault estimates vary largely given differences in definitions and measurement. Since 2000, this is the first study to systematically review and synthesize campus sexual assault prevalence results. No studies have systematically reviewed prevalence findings in research on college-based sexual assault to highlight strengths and limitations in the empirical body of research. Prevalence findings, research design, methods, sampling techniques, victimization definitions, and measures were critically evaluated. Implications for findings from the review and recommendations for future research were provided.
Methods:
Systematic electronic search for studies on campus sexual assault published between January 2000 and February 2015 included peer-reviewed articles, dissertations, and reports from grey literature. The search generated 134 records to screen; the final review included 35. Requirements for inclusion included empirical studies available in English reporting prevalence findings for sexual assault, rape, or other unwanted sexual contact among U.S. college students. Only studies including measures to identify whether students had been sexually assaulted since entering college were included.
A detailed table of studies in the review outlined designs and sampling methods, forms of sexual violence with types of measures, and prevalences reported. Prevalences varied among studies, largely dependent on definitions of sexual victimization and measurement, making comparison difficult across studies. However, prevalences among studies that measured similar, if not identical, forms of sexual victimization could be more easily compared. The ranges of prevalences among studies measuring similar forms of sexual victimization were presented.
Results:
Research has studied a wide range of sexual victimization experiences among students, including attempted/completed forcible rape, incapacitated rape, drug or alcohol-facilitated rape, unwanted sexual contact experiences, and sexual coercion. Prevalences reported vary widely, largely due to the form of sexual victimization measured and definition/measurement differences. Prevalence of unwanted sexual contact (3.7%-80.9% women, 4.8%-8.2% men) appears highest compared to other forms of sexual victimization, followed by incapacitated rape (1.8%-4.2% women, 1.9% men) and forcible rape (0.5%-16.9% of college women, 0.6%-0.7% men). Sexual coercion (1.7%- 32% women) also appears to be highly prevalent compared to victimization by physical force or threat of force.
Discussion of results includes in-depth consideration of factors that might explain wide ranges among reported prevalences. Sampling differences (smaller/larger, convenience/random, nationally representative), research design (longitudinal/cross-sectional studies), measures (incident-based/behaviorally-specific), and variability in constructs/definitions for victimization types most often led to inconsistencies in prevalences.
Conclusion and Implications:
Standardized definitions and separate measurement of sexual victimization forms can enhance our understanding of how prevalence rates vary and facilitate development of appropriate prevention and intervention strategies on campuses. Behaviorally-specific measures should be used, including examples of unwanted sexual experiences. Prevalence rates of different victimization experiences may differ across campuses, based on types of prevention or intervention efforts already implemented. Targeting future effective campus prevention, intervention, and victim services might start with understanding of specific needs of a campus population. High prevalence of unwanted sexual contact and coercion indicates need for prevention efforts focused on specific dynamics of these forms of victimization.