Contextualizing Sexual Violence in International Students' Experiences: Implications and Recommendations for Culturally Competent Service Delivery

• In Event: 77.032 - Rape Culture in Public Education and Online: Exploring Current Realities and Solutions

Abstract

Objectives: As international student populations become more prolific, it is increasingly important to understand their experiences in the context of higher education. Research has demonstrated the resiliency of international students, but also the challenges associated with cultural transition including language fluency, academic difficulties, discrimination, loss of social support, and harassment. In addition to some of these broader themes associated with cultural transition, scholarship in this area shows a particularly troubling aspect—vulnerability in regard to sexual violence (e.g. Bonistall, 2017; EROC, 2017). Arriving in a new country, international students are not always provided adequate information about policies or information intended to protect them in the context of sexual violence (e.g. Title IX in the United States) or have access to local legal procedures and counseling services. Despite emerging literature on sexual violence, there is little research on support services for international students in general, and a significant gap regarding support services tailored to sexual violence. This research gap prompts exploration on how international students are impacted by sexual violence, and the benefits of culturally-competent support services. This presentation will: (1) describe the experience of international students in the context of sexual violence; (2) evaluate existing support services for international students and international student survivors of sexual violence; and (3) provide recommendations for culturally competent service delivery

Theoretical Framework: Critical theory acknowledges that the marginalized status of particular communities has consequences for political, social, and economic outcomes (Denzin et al., 2008). In the context of this research, I argue that international student status is an important factor to consider in vulnerability to sexual violence. Moreover, following models of cross-cultural service delivery and cultural competency (e.g., Purnell, 2002), individuals who may provide services for sexual violence survivors or provide general information for policies and supports need to be aware of the specific needs of international students to provide effective service delivery.

Methods and Evidence: The review of the literature is two-fold. The first area focuses on the experience of international students in the context of sexual violence, including a systematic review of interviews, case studies, testimonies in case law, surveys, and other narratives. The second review consists of examining the types and extent of support services for international students in the domain of sexual violence. This includes websites for support services, policy briefs, and task force initiatives. Thematic analysis was employed to identify themes in international student experiences with sexual violence and the nature of support services.

Results and Significance: This review is a continuation of our work addressing the systemic barriers international students face in the wake of sexual violence (Hutcheson & Lewington, 2017). Our initial analysis of case law and case studies demonstrated how support service providers could benefit from an approach that is more culturally competent. The current study deepens the preceding research in pinpointing strengths and areas of weakness in service delivery, and highlights the importance of cultural competence and awareness of specialized approaches (e.g., language accessibility when working with diverse populations).

Author

• Shannon Hutcheson, McGill University