Sexual Violence and Women's Education: Impacts on Academic Performance

• In Event: 18.010 - Cross-Cutting Session 2. Trauma and Violence in Students' Lives: The Role of Education in Healing and Hurting

Abstract

Emerging research on the impact of sexual violence on women’s education has focused often on grade point average (GPA). The present study examined a broader range of performance indicators including delays in academic progress, failures and non-attendance. Participants were 741 undergraduate students who reported sexual violence in Canada. Measures of attitudes and behaviours related to academic involvement with school were completed as part of a survey. Findings revealed that women experiencing sexual violence were less likely to report attaining high grades, reported a greater likelihood of delaying and not completing their classes, assignments, and exams as well as poor attendance. These findings indicate that sexual violence is associated with a negative impact on various aspects of women’s academic performance.

Authors

• Lana Stermac, University of Toronto-Toronto, Canada

• Touraj Amiri, University of Toronto

• Veronica Badali