The context and consequences of sexual assault among undergraduate women at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

This article analyzed sexual assault and post assault actions among women attending Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs).

 

Summary: 3,951 undergraduate women attending four diverse Historically Black College or Universities (HBCUs)  completed web based surveys on sexual assault. About 9% of the women reported being sexually assaulted since enrolling in college.  Over half (55%) of all respondents reported that they knew their assailant.  Data reviled the most frequently reported assailants were either fellow classmates or ex-partners among physically forced survivors (36.7%) and (35%) among incapacitated survivors.  98.5% of the assailants were males.  Over 75% of both physically forced and incapacitated survivors also reported that their assault occurred off campus.  Over half of both physically forced and incapacitated  survivors screened positive for PTSD.   

 

Applications/Evaluation: This study may be useful for professionals interested in the African American college student population.  Participants completed one of two surveys, depending on their assault experience (physically forced or incapacitated sexual assault).  Depression was measured with a short version of the Depression CES-D 10 scale.  PTSD was measured using the Primary Care PTSD screen.

 

Limitations: The study took place over a three year period because of a very low response rate.  Only a quarter of the women, who were eligible to participate in the study, completed a survey.

 

Author: 
Lindquist, C. H., Barrick, K., Krebs, C., Crosby, C. M., Lockard, A. J., & Sanders-Phillips, K.
Reprint Status: 
notinfile
Start Page: 
2437
End Page: 
2461
Journal/Periodical Name: 
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Volume: 
28
Issue: 
12
Publication Date: 
2013