Collington Deshawn, Carter Markea, Tolliver Aliyah, Turner-Musa Jocelyn
Department of Psychology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD.
Am J Undergrad Res. 2019 Mar;15(4):37-45. doi: 10.33697/ajur.2019.004.
Sexual assault constitutes a significant public health problem on college campuses including historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU). Recent research suggests that sexual assault is increasing on college campuses. However, there are few studies examining the prevalence and risk factors for sexual assault at HBCUs. To address this gap, the current study examined the prevalence, correlates, and outcomes of sexual assault at an HBCU. Participants in the study were 264 undergraduate students from an HBCU in the mid-Atlantic region. The majority of participants were female (71%), African American (91%), and seniors (41%). After providing informed consent, participants completed a Climate Assessment survey administered by the university's Office of Diversity. Findings revealed that since starting college about 20% of students experienced sexual contact without consent. Of those sexually assaulted, 20% reported they were incapacitated or under the influence of alcohol (15%) at the time of the assault. About 17% of those assaulted experienced a physical injury and/or poor mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety, depression, flashbacks). Participants reported not disclosing information of their assault due to embarrassment, afraid of retaliation from the perpetrator, believing it was a private matter. Close friends were more likely to be told about sexual assault. The study supports the need to address sexual assault on HBCU campuses through strong prevention and intervention programs and to address barriers to reporting.
性侵犯是包括历史悠久的黑人学院和大学（HBCU）在内的大学校园里一个重大的公共卫生问题。最近的研究表明，大学校园里的性侵犯事件正在增加。然而，很少有研究调查HBCU中性侵犯的发生率和风险因素。为了填补这一空白，本研究调查了一所HBCU中性侵犯的发生率、相关因素和后果。该研究的参与者是来自大西洋中部地区一所HBCU的264名本科生。大多数参与者为女性（71%）、非裔美国人（91%）且为大四学生（41%）。在提供知情同意后，参与者完成了由大学多元化办公室管理的气候评估调查。研究结果显示，自上大学以来，约20%的学生经历过未经同意的性接触。在那些遭受性侵犯的人中，20%报告称在受侵犯时他们丧失了行为能力或受到了酒精影响（15%）。约17%的受侵犯者经历了身体伤害和/或心理健康状况不佳（如焦虑、抑郁、闪回）。参与者报告称，由于尴尬、害怕犯罪者报复以及认为这是私事，他们没有透露自己受侵犯的信息。亲密朋友更有可能被告知性侵犯事件。该研究支持通过强有力的预防和干预计划来解决HBCU校园里的性侵犯问题，并消除报告障碍的必要性。
