Citation

Oberweis T, Henry D, Griner S, Gorislavsky E. Violence Against Women 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/10778012211021121

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Research has identified the necessity of sexual assault victims to label their experience as criminal to initiate reporting. However, barriers exist in labeling uninvited sexual contact as criminal. This study examined college students' assessments of whether eight nonconsensual behaviors met the legal definition of sexual assault, and whether such behaviors should be reported to police.

RESULTS indicated students acknowledged the nonconsensual behaviors as criminal; however, gaps were identified between awareness that the acts were criminal and willingness to report to police.

FINDINGS demonstrate a need for continued efforts for sexual assault prevention among college students.

Language: en

Keywords

sexual violence; campus sexual assault; rape; legal consciousness; sexual assault reporting