Sexual Victimization in Transit Environments: Understanding Gender Differences

• In Event: Intervening Against Crime on Campus. How Bystanders and Opportunities Shape Responses

Abstract

Sexual victimization of students (from catcalling and whistling to sexual assault and rape) during the commute to college is a common and sometimes serious problem. Using a sub-sample (30 male and 30 female) of a sexual victimization survey of NYC college students, this small-scale study explores gender differences in the demographics, perceptions of seriousness of sexual harassment and victimization, as well as personal experience across various types of sexual victimization while using public transit. The comparison data reveal important insights and gender differences in students’ experiences with sexual victimization, situational factors that exacerbate sexual victimization, and their ideas to reduce such crime in public transit systems. The study’s ultimate objective is to enhance the safety of commuting students by developing effective, understand the gendered nuances of victimization in transit environments for developing future research, and for developing appropriate measures to reduce the opportunities for sexual victimization.

Authors

• Margaret Schmuhl, State University of New York - Oswego

• Mangai Natarajan, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY

• Marissa Mandala, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY

• Susruta Sudula, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY