Friend or foe: Sorority Affiliation and Risk of Sexual Violence

• In Event: Posters II

Abstract

There is evidence that sorority affiliation might serve as a risk factor for experiencing rape among college women as previous research has uncovered increased risk for rape among sorority members (Bannon, Brosi, & Foubert, 2013; Carey, Durney, Shepardson, & Carey, 2015; Franklin, 2012; Kalof, 1993; Martin, 2016; Minow & Einolf, 2009; Mohler-Kuo, Dowdall, Koss, & Weschler, 2004). Contemporary researchers have claimed that sorority affiliation represents a protective factor because alcohol consumption and bystander education programs have mediated the relationship between sorority affiliation and rape (Martin, 2016; Minow & Einolf, 2009; Norris, Nurius, & Dimeff, 1996). Additionally, sorority members prescribe to rape myths at higher rates than non-Greek collegiate women, but less than fraternity members (Bannon et al., 2013). The current research seeks to identify whether sorority affiliation at a mid-sized Northeastern university represents a risk for sexual violence. Policy implications and suggestions for future research will also be explored.

Authors

• Kirsten A. Piatak, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

• Sadie J. Mummert, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

• Cristina Reitz-Kruger, Indiana University of Pennsylvania