Do Routine Activities Explain Collegiate Sexual Assault?

• In Event: Roundtable: Sexual Violence and Consent

Abstract

While colleges and universities are traditionally viewed as safe places, campus sexual assault is not uncommon. This paper uses a routine activity theory (RAT) as a framework to explain the increased risk of sexual assault on college campuses. RAT states that for any crime to occur, three factors must be present: a likely offender, a suitable target, and a lack of guardianship. Crime is expected to occur when the arrangements of social life place a motivated offender and a suitable target in a space with no guardianship. Previous studies of collegiate sexual assault using RAT do not incorporate all three components into their analysis; however, this study examines offenders, victims, and guardianship. The data used in this project were collected in 2005-2006 at two large public universities. Regression analysis is used to separately assess patterns of offending, victimization, and bystanders. Findings demonstrate some support for RAT, but gendered contextual effects seem apparent. We find that participation in certain social events increase the likelihood of sexual violence and the presence of "capable" guardians may be influenced by the prior relationship of the victim and offender.

Authors

• Kristen Bethune, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

• Cindy Brooks Dollar, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro