Touching and Social Context: What is Casual and What is Criminal?

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

Current research indicates that sexual assault on college campuses is alarmingly high (Cantor et al., 2015). This research, however, does not take into account disparities between legal definitions of sexual assault and the social construction of gendered interactions across various social contexts and statuses. If these disparities exist many interactions that fall under the legal definition of sexual assault may be interpreted by both victims and perpetrators as something other than assault. Previous research has found that sexual assaults are more frequent at fraternity parties than other campus social contexts, and college athletes are more likely to commit sexual assault than other college students, suggesting that social contexts and statuses matter (Armstrong, Hamilton, & Sweeney, 2006; Young, Desmarais, Baldwin, & Chandler, 2016). We hypothesize that disparities between legal definitions and social constructions of sexual assault result in the under-reporting of campus sexual assault. Further, we hold that these disparities are embedded in patriarchal social structures that drive gendered interactions. Our results support our hypothesis suggesting the incidence of legally defined sexual assault are much higher than reflected in official statistics.

Authors

• Samantha Kopf, Wartburg College

• Brian McQueen, Wartburg College