%0 Journal Article
%T Forced sex and sexual consent among college women
%J Journal of forensic nursing
%D 2015
%A Fantasia, Heidi Collins
%A Fontenot, Holly B.
%A Sutherland, Melissa A.
%A Lee-St John, Terrence J.
%V 11
%N 4
%P 223-231
%X INTRODUCTION: Female college students, aged 18-25 years, are at high risk for sexual violence compared with women of other age groups. Lack of clear consent is a preceding and defining component of forced sex and sexual violence. This study explored the association between sexual consent awareness, attitudes, and beliefs and a history of forced sex among a sample of college women. In addition, the level of alcohol use among this group was examined. <br><br>METHODS: A cross-sectional electronic survey was sent to approximately 5900 female students enrolled at a large public university in the northeastern United States. Sexual consent was measured with the Sexual Consent Scale-Revised, and alcohol use was measured with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption Items. Logistic regression models were used to examine the differences in sexual consent scores based on a history of forced sex. <br><br>RESULTS: The final sample included 925 students. Twenty-two percent of participants reported a history of forced sex; more than half (59%) reported alcohol use before sexual activity. Women with greater awareness of sexual consent were significantly more likely to have a history of forced sex. Women who utilize more nonverbal, indirect approaches to communicating sexual consent were significantly less likely to have a history of forced sex compared with women with no history of forced sex. <br><br>DISCUSSION: These findings highlight high rates of forced sex and alcohol use in a sample of college women and explicate sexual consent awareness and communication behaviors associated with a history of forced sex.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I John Wiley and Sons
%@ 1556-3693
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000086