Citation

Carey KB, Durney SE, Shepardson RL, Carey MP. J. Adolesc. Health 2015; 56(6): 678-680.

Affiliation

Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.02.018

PMID

26003585

PMCID

PMC4442273

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to document the point and cumulative prevalence of incapacitated rape (IR) and forcible rape (FR) among first-year college women.

METHODS: Female students (N = 483) completed a health questionnaire (1) on arrival on campus; (2) at the end of the fall semester; (3) at the end of the spring semester; and (4) at the end of the summer following their first year of college.

RESULTS: Before entering college, 18% reported IR (attempted and/or completed), and 15% reported FR (attempted and/or completed). During the first year of college, 15% reported IR (attempted or completed) and 9% reported FR (attempted or completed). By the start of the second year (lifetime prevalence), 26% and 22% had experienced IR and FR (attempted or completed), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Both incapacitated and forcible sexual assaults and rape have reached epidemic levels among college women. Interventions to address sexual violence on campus are urgently needed.

Language: en