Sexual coercion experience and help-seeking behavior of college women

In a study of 656 college women enrolled in elective health education classes at three midwestern universities, results showed that 42% of the women had been victims of sexual coercion in dating situations while in college. Seventy percent of those who had experienced sexual coercion had intercourse when they did not want to as a result of overwhelming arguments and pressure. Only 28% of the sexual coercion victims sought any type of help. Of those who sought help, 75% sought help from a friend. Because the experience of victimization can disrupt various aspects of women's lives, it is important that victims seek help in their attempts to cope successfully after the sexually coercive event. If campus help providers--administrators, educators, residence hall staff, and health center personnel--are more aware of the incidence and dynamics of sexual coercion, they can be more effective in encouraging college student victims to seek the help they need.