The Assessment of First-Year Students’ Perceptions, Knowledge, and Experiences of Gender-Based Violence

• In Event: Victimization in Schools and on College Campuses

Abstract

Background/Rationale: Gender-based violence (GBV) persists among college students as risks for such harms are heightened during the ages of 18-24. Incoming first year students are more at-risk for experiencing GBV during the first six-eight weeks of the semester. The importance of prevention and education programming across college campuses is integral to decreasing this epidemic. Legislative efforts have resulted in the mandate that institutions of higher education provide prevention programming to all incoming students. Yet, to date, no universal instrument has been developed to assess college students’ knowledge, perceptions, and experiences related to GBV with the intent to inform prevention programming at an institutional level. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine incoming college students’ knowledge, perceptions, and experiences related to GBV. Methods: Data are based on quantitative responses to a survey of incoming students attending a small northeastern Catholic university. Results: This presentation highlights preliminary findings of the GBV assessment instrument using the prevention logic model as a guiding theoretical framework. Conclusions: The development of a psychometrically sound GBV instrument will contribute to an evidenced-based prevention approach, which will help institutions specifically tailor interventions and policies to their individualized university setting.

Authors

• Dana L. Radatz, Niagara University

• Jennifer E. Beebe, Niagara University

• Craig Rivera, Niagara University

• Timothy O. Ireland, Niagara University