They said there was no way I was sexually assaulted: Calling attention to the importance of assisting male survivors of sexual victimization in higher education

• In Event: Prevalence and Context of Sexual Assault on College Campuses

Abstract

Most of the research focusing on sexual victimization on college campuses has focused on females as victims. This attention is warranted given that studies have consistently found that females are at more risk of experiencing victimization compared to males. However, a drawback of this emphasis is that laypersons may incorrectly believe that men cannot be victims too. This belief is directly challenged by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2015) findings that indicate one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while enrolled in college. Similarly, a recent National Crime and Victimization Survey (2014) reports that from 1995 to 2013, 17% of college sexual victimizations were perpetrated against men. As sexual assault is a crime that is severely underreported, the numbers of college men assaulted could be higher than revealed by these statistics – particularly in rural communities that ascribe to traditional gender roles where men may be seemingly incapable of becoming the victims of assault. In order to draw attention to this under researched topic, we use data from a recent climate survey conducted at a mid-sized rural institution. The results indicate that males, in addition to females, experience various types of sexual victimization in this setting. The results of this study are immediately applicable as the nation moves forward with combatting sexual victimization in the Ivory tower. While it is vastly important that investigative bodies work to assist female survivors of sexual violence, male survivors of sexual violence should also be assisted and supported.

Authors

• Jordana N. Navarro, Tennessee Technological University

• Shelly Clevenger, Illinois State University