Citation

Lewis KR, Robillard A, Billings D, White K. J. Am. Coll. Health 2019; 67(4): 308-317.

Affiliation

b University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health , Epidemiology and Biostatistics , Columbia , SC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2018.1472096

PMID

29952734

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Explore the ways in which a sample of college women interpret racially/ethnically-coded vignettes to understand their perceptions of responsibility and trauma experienced by a hypothetical female sexual assault survivor and her need for social support. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of college women (N = 51) attending a large, predominately white university in the Southeastern United States recruited between January-March 2013.

METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned 1 of 3 vignettes describing a hypothetical date rape scenario. Vignette scenarios were identical except for discrete statements coded to signify either an African American, Latina, or White female student. Participants responded to open-ended questions that gauged their interpretations of responsibility, trauma, and social support.

RESULTS: Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses revealed six overarching themes, including overt victim blaming/shaming, justification of the sexual assault, and perceived need for social support.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings point to the significance of including race in discussions about and programs that address sexual assault on college campuses to ensure that all women who experience sexual violence receive the support that they need.

Language: en

Keywords

College; Ethnicity; Race; Sexual Assault; Social Support; Trauma; Victim Responsibility