Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
J Interpers Violence. 2024 May;39(9-10):1952-1975. doi: 10.1177/08862605231212171. Epub 2023 Nov 14.
Sexual assault is a global problem, with the risk highest among university students. Bystander intervention preventing sexual assaults has primarily been researched using quantitative methods to understand what factors influence it. However, both sexual assault and bystander intervention are complex with many subtle and overlapping issues that, when analyzed qualitatively, can offer new insights. The current study aimed to explore and develop a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of students' perceptions of sexual assault and bystander intervention across two universities, one in the United Kingdom and one in Australia. Thirty-nine university students (19 in the United Kingdom; 20 in Australia) took part in one-to-one semistructured interviews. Using inductive thematic analysis, two overarching themes were identified: (a) navigating the complex dynamics of sexual assault; and (b) decisions to intervene or not to intervene. Findings suggest that the complexity and ambiguity around sexual assault can forestall bystander intervention. As such, increasing education, awareness, and discussions around sexual assault and bystander intervention is vital to increase awareness of the problem and mobilize action from bystanders to prevent sexual assault.
性侵犯是一个全球性问题，大学生群体中的风险最高。旁观者干预预防性侵犯主要通过定量方法进行研究，以了解哪些因素会影响它。然而，性侵犯和旁观者干预都很复杂，存在许多微妙且相互重叠的问题，通过定性分析，可以提供新的见解。本研究旨在探索和全面深入地了解两所大学（一所位于英国，一所位于澳大利亚）学生对性侵犯和旁观者干预的看法。39 名大学生（英国 19 名；澳大利亚 20 名）参加了一对一的半结构化访谈。使用归纳主题分析，确定了两个总体主题：（a）应对性侵犯的复杂动态；（b）干预或不干预的决定。研究结果表明，性侵犯的复杂性和模糊性可能会阻碍旁观者干预。因此，增加关于性侵犯和旁观者干预的教育、意识和讨论至关重要，以提高对问题的认识，并动员旁观者采取行动预防性侵犯。
