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Intimate violence among underrepresented groups on a college campus
Judy Porter1, LaVerne McQuiller Williams
1Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623, USA. jlpgcj@rit.edu
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|March 3, 2011
Summary
College students, especially those from underrepresented groups, face significant risks of sexual, physical, and psychological violence. This study highlights disparities in victimization rates based on gender, race, auditory status, and sexual orientation.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Public Health
- Criminology
Background:
- Student violence, including rape and sexual assault, is a persistent issue on college campuses.
- Research often overlooks violence occurring during college years and underrepresented student populations.
- Previous studies have not extensively examined violence experienced by Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, LGBTQ+ individuals, and racial/ethnic minorities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of sexual violence, physical abuse, and psychological abuse among underrepresented college student groups.
- To analyze victimization rates by gender, race/ethnicity, auditory status, and sexual orientation.
- To identify specific risks faced by diverse student populations regarding various forms of campus violence.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 1,028 college students from a private northeastern technological campus was surveyed.
- Data were collected on sexual violence, physical abuse, and psychological abuse experiences.
- Binary logistic regression analyses were used to compare victimization rates across demographic groups.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant differences in violence victimization were found between underrepresented groups and majority groups.
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and gay, lesbian, bisexual, or other sexual orientation students showed significant associations with psychological and physical abuse.
- Racial and ethnic minorities and gay, lesbian, bisexual, or other sexual orientation students were at higher risk for sexual abuse; these groups, along with female students, were more likely to be raped.
Conclusions:
- Underrepresented student populations experience disproportionately higher rates of campus violence.
- Specific demographic factors, including sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and auditory status, are linked to increased risk for various forms of abuse and rape.
- Findings underscore the need for targeted research and policy interventions to address campus violence among diverse student groups.
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