Reducing Sexual Assault and Re-Assault on College Campuses

Abstract

Underage college women are at high risk for alcohol use and sexual assault and targeting both alcohol use and sexual assault is needed for this population. The current 3 studies examined the etiology and reduction of sexual assault and re-assault on college campuses among women. Study 1 was a prospective assessment of the use of sexual assault protective behavioral strategies (PBS) on subsequent sexual assault incidence and severity. The use of sexual assault PBS at Time 1 was associated with less sexual assault incidence and severity at Time 2. Study 2 furthered this by examining the relationship between sexual assault PBS, drinking PBS, sexual assault, and re-assault. Both sexual assault PBS and drinking PBS were associated with sexual assault and re-assault in college. Study 3 was a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of a combined intervention targeting both sexual assault risk and alcohol use in college women to reduce sexual assault and re-assault. The combined intervention decreased incapacitated rape, sexual assault incidence and severity, and frequency of heavy-episodic drinking for women with higher incidence and severity of sexual assault at baseline. Taken together, targeting both alcohol use and sexual assault risk in college women may be an effective way to decrease sexual assault and re-assault on college campuses.