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Social norms for sexual violence perpetration in college

Social norms for sexual violence perpetration in college Sexual violence (SV) is a pervasive public health issue on college campuses. While much research has been conducted to determine factors contributing to SV, little work focuses on the role of perceived social norms. The purpose of this paper is to examine college students’ perceived descriptive norms for SV perpetration (i.e. prevalence estimates for SV).Design/methodology/approachUsing a cross-sectional survey, male and female college students from a large public institution in the Southeastern USA were instructed to estimate the prevalence of SV for “typical students” of their same gender on campus.FindingsWhen compared to actual prevalence rates of SV perpetrated by females and males, both perpetrators and non-perpetrators overestimated the prevalence of SV among same-sex peers, but perpetrators made even higher estimates compared to those made by non-perpetrators for some sexually aggressive acts. Results demonstrate strong and consistent normative misperceptions surrounding SV perpetration.Research limitations/implicationsFindings lend support for testing social norms-based prevention programs for SV on college campuses.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first investigations into perceived social norms surrounding SV; perceived social norms may be an influential factor contributing to SV. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research Emerald Publishing

Social norms for sexual violence perpetration in college

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References (50)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
1759-6599
DOI
10.1108/jacpr-12-2016-0266
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Sexual violence (SV) is a pervasive public health issue on college campuses. While much research has been conducted to determine factors contributing to SV, little work focuses on the role of perceived social norms. The purpose of this paper is to examine college students’ perceived descriptive norms for SV perpetration (i.e. prevalence estimates for SV).Design/methodology/approachUsing a cross-sectional survey, male and female college students from a large public institution in the Southeastern USA were instructed to estimate the prevalence of SV for “typical students” of their same gender on campus.FindingsWhen compared to actual prevalence rates of SV perpetrated by females and males, both perpetrators and non-perpetrators overestimated the prevalence of SV among same-sex peers, but perpetrators made even higher estimates compared to those made by non-perpetrators for some sexually aggressive acts. Results demonstrate strong and consistent normative misperceptions surrounding SV perpetration.Research limitations/implicationsFindings lend support for testing social norms-based prevention programs for SV on college campuses.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first investigations into perceived social norms surrounding SV; perceived social norms may be an influential factor contributing to SV.

Journal

Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research – Emerald Publishing

Published: Oct 16, 2017

Keywords: United States; Sexual violence; Social norms; Sexual assault; College student; Perpetration

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