Sexual Violence on Campus and the LGBTQ population: Surveys and Programming

• In Event: Prevalence and Context of Sexual Assault on College Campuses

Abstract

Recent initiatives regarding campus sexual assault have largely focused on campus sexual assaults that affect the greater population, but often identify the need for more research on specific populations, such as LGBTQ individuals which are overrepresented as victims of sexual assault (Basile, Chen, Lynberg & Saltzman, 2007; Karjane, Fisher, & Cullen, 2002; Koss, Gidycz & Wisniewski, 1987; Tjaden & Thoennes, 1998; White House Council on Women and Girls, 2014). The current study proposes to examine existing general campus climate surveys (ACHA-NCHA II and AZIHE) at a Southwest state university, with significant commitment to the active LGBTQ community, to assess if general campus climate surveys are adequately measuring campus sexual assault of all student populations. Further, this project examines programming responses of college and university campuses that focus specifically on the LGBTQ community. Often, in their attempts to be widespread, general programming responses to sexual assault neglect populations that are most vulnerable. We look at local, state and national data and discuss the ways general climate surveys and programming initiatives are being used to bring awareness to campus communities about sexual assault victimization.

Authors

• Brooke de Heer, Northern Arizona University

• Sarah Prior, Northern Arizona University

• Lynn Jones, Northern Arizona University