Campus Service Use Among Students With Disabilities Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence: A Conceptual Model

Area of Science:

• Disability Studies
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Students with disabilities are at a higher risk of sexual violence.
• Understanding their campus service utilization patterns is limited.
• Streamlined access to support services is crucial for this vulnerable group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the patterns of campus service use among students with disabilities who have experienced sexual violence.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to service accessibility and utilization.
• To develop a conceptual model of service use based on accessibility and student experiences.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with 51 students with disabilities.
• Focus on experiences with campus support services following sexual violence.
• Development of a conceptual model based on interview data.

Main Results:

• Greater accessibility to campus services correlates with positive student experiences.
• Lower accessibility and fear of negative reactions (e.g., judgment) lead to decreased service use and satisfaction.
• Advocacy and support in connecting students to relevant services enhance positive experiences and accessibility.

Conclusions:

• Key facilitators and barriers to campus service use for students with disabilities experiencing sexual violence have been identified.
• Intervention points include increasing accessibility, reducing stigma, and improving interactions with campus providers.
• Enhanced support systems can improve overall student experiences and service engagement.