Gender Identity and Sexual Victimization: What Does the Association of American Universities’ Study Reveal About These Victims?

• In Event: Sexual Victimization Among Vulnerable/Understudied College Populations: Focus on LGBTQ, Male, and Repeat Victims

Abstract

A number of studies have found that individuals with “non-traditional” gender identities (NGI) have high rates of sexual assault. The AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct completed approximately 1,300 interviews with college students across 27 4-year institutions of higher education who identified as transgender, genderqueer or gender non-conforming, questioning and other NGI. The survey produced campus-level estimates for each IHE. Students were asked about their experiences as victims of sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, stalking, rape, sexual assault and sexual contact without affirmative consent. In addition, students were asked about their views about the campus climate, such as perceptions of risk and bystander intervention, among other things. This paper will provide a profile of the risks and perceptions of students with NGI across these 27 campuses and how these profiles compare with other demographic and social groups.

Authors

• David Cantor, Westat

• Bonnie Sue Fisher, University of Cincinnati

• Samuel Peterson, University of Cincinnati