Violence against sexual and gender minority women: A mixed methods consideration of one college campus context

 

Project Description:

Violence against women, recently described as gender-based violence (GBV), is a national phenomenon resulting in negative mental, physical, and social health outcomes. GBV disproportionally impacts women on college campuses; Division I colleges report significantly higher rates of GBV compared to Division II and III schools. About 20% of college women experience GBV; roughly 11% experience rape. Those age 18-24 have a 300% greater risk of GBV compared to women in the general population. Evidence suggests that sexual and gender minority (SGM) women (e.g., lesbian, bisexual, transgender) are at significantly greater risk for GBV than their heterosexual counterparts, with one study reporting bisexual women are 2.6 times more likely to experience GBV. Despite increased rates of GBV, there is a gap in knowledge looking at whether students identifying as SGMs experience higher risk for GBV. This study will elucidate information about knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and risk factors to effectively address GBV on college campuses. A unique interdisciplinary approach representing five disciplines with collaborations among the College of Social Work, School of Medicine, and community partnership with the Utah Pride Center will be utilized in this study. A comparative analysis of PAC-12 university resources and policies addressing GBV will be conducted alongside an analysis of campus and community SGM women’s experiences gathered through anonymous questionnaire, focus groups, townhall meetings, and secondary analysis of BRFSS data.

 

Abstract:

Violence against women, recently described as gender-based violence (GBV), is a national phenomenon resulting in negative mental, physical, and social health outcomes. GBV disproportionally impacts women on college campuses; Division I colleges report significantly higher rates of GBV compared to Division II and III schools. About 20% of college women experience GBV; roughly 11% experience rape. Those 18-24 have a 300% greater risk of GBV compared to women in the general population. Evidence suggests that sexual and gender minority (SGM) women (e.g., lesbian, bisexual, transgender) are at significantly greater risk for GBV than their heterosexual counterparts, with one study reporting bisexual women are 2.6 times more likely to experience GBV. Despite increased rates of GBV, there is a gap in knowledge looking at whether students identifying as SGMs experience higher risk for GBV. This study will elucidate information about knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and risk factors to effectively address GBV on college campuses.

 

A unique interdisciplinary approach representing five disciplines with collaborations among the College of Social Work, School of Medicine and community partnership with the Utah Pride Center will be utilized in this study. A comparative analysis of PAC-12 university resources and policies addressing GBV will be conducted alongside an analysis of campus and community SGM women’s experiences gathered through anonymous questionnaire, focus groups, townhall meetings, and secondary analysis of BRFSS data. Results will lead to future external funding and lay foundational groundwork for an inter-university and community consortium to address GBV for SGM women on college campuses.

 

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