Citation

Garcia CM, Lechner KE, Frerich EA, Lust KA, Eisenberg ME. J. Forensic Nurs. 2012; 8(2): 61-71.

Affiliation

Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota Graduate Student, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota Graduate Student, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota Director of Research, Boynton Health Service, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota Assistant Professor, Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, International Association of Forensic Nurses, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1939-3938.2011.01130.x

PMID

22621664

Abstract

Rates of sexual assault of college students are higher than the national rates. Colleges are uniquely positioned to offer preventive education and support services to a high-risk group. This qualitative study examines students' perceptions of sexual violence resources and services. Seventy-eight female and male students, between 18 and 24 years old, belonging to various demographic groups, participated in one-to-one walking interviews on five diverse Midwest 2- and 4-year postsecondary campuses. Findings suggest that students are concerned with safety-students want more education regarding sexual violence-and they value services that offer protection from incidents of sexual violence on campus. Participants expressed mixed reactions to prevention education that combined sexual violence prevention with alcohol and drug use. Students shared positive views of the security measures on campus. They emphasized the importance of using varied mechanisms for sexual violence-related resource messaging and advised moving away from the pamphlet toward posters and online resources. Recommendations are offered to strengthen existing resources, such as prevention education and postassault interventions including sexual assault nurse examiner services, and to minimize barriers to access of sexual violence resources.

Language: en