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[no dialogue].
Hello, I'm Dr. Kathleen O'Rourke, associate professor
in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences.
In June of 2009, I presented my research entitled
"*** Assault of University Women: An Examination of
Occurrence, Reporting, Disclosure, and Support"
at the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Annual Conference.
The co-author of this research is Tona Smith, who earned a
Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences.
The purpose of the research was to determine rates of
occurrence, reporting, disclosure, and support
related to *** assault among female university students.
One in four college and university women has experienced
*** assault by the time of graduation, according to the
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
By age 30, 58% of women experience *** assault.
Fisher, Cullen, and Turner's national study indicated that
27.7 *** assaults occur per 1,000 female college students,
and only fewer than 5% are reported.
The study included 370 participants who were
18- to 24-year-old female students at a
mid-sized midwestern university.
Participants were selected from female-only
university-recognized organizations.
The research study included a non-experimental survey design.
Data were collected via a 35-item survey during a
regular meeting of each organization.
Frequencies and percentages were calculated, path analysis
included graphing and charting, and qualitative data were
analyzed to determine emergent themes and patterns.
Of 370 women, 27% had been sexually assaulted between
ages 5 and 22, with the majority of assaults
occurring at 18 and 19.
Perpetrators included friends and aquaintances, strangers,
boyfriends, dates, ex-boyfriends,
and family members.
Six percent of women reported the assault to police,
and 3% sought medical treatment.
Reasons for non-reporting included: I didn't think it was
*** assault at the time, I was embarrassed, I thought it
was my fault, I was afraid of the perpetrator, I didn't think
anyone would believe me, I didn't want the perpetrator
to get in trouble, and I didn't think the police
would believe me.
Persons to whom women disclosed included friends and relatives.
Although 89% were aware of campus-based *** assault
counseling, only 7% accessed this resource.
In conclusion, *** assaults occur most often among
freshmen and sophomores.
Perpetrators are known to the vast majority.
Non-reporting leads to inaccurate crime data.
By not seeking medical attention, there is an
increased risk for sexually transmitted infections
and unplanned pregnancies.
Given that almost two thirds reported the assault to friends,
there is an increased need for peer education.
Stigma surrounds counseling services, and that
continues to exist.
Continuous prevention programs, beginning in the early school
years through higher education, with extra attention given to
freshmen and sophomores, are needed.
The myth of "stranger ***" must continue to be debunked.
Greater emphasis must be placed on concrete steps to take when
considering reporting to law enforcement and medical
personnel, along with the potential outcomes of reporting.
Policy and spending initiatives must address *** assault
prevention and treatment widely.
Higher education institutions must take a heightened stance
against *** assault through more education and support and
by eliminating barriers for students and supporting peers.
Thank you very much.
[no dialogue].