RESEARCH
Sexual assault continues to be a significant issue on college and university campuses, with prevalence rates for victimization as high as 31% and 34% for unwanted sexual contact for men and women respectively. Less is known about the prevalence rates for perpetration but studies have largely recognized that the majority of sexual assault is perpetrated by males. Therefore, this meta-analysis examined the strongest risk markers for sexual assault by men.
The three strongest risk markers for male sexual assault perpetration involved violence against a partner: psychological dating violence perpetration, prior sexual assault perpetration, and physical dating violence perpetration). However, the authors took all of the significant risk factors and created three categories for campuses to consider when creating prevention and intervention programs: 1) college party culture (e.g., binge drinking, substance abuse and frequency of impersonal sex hook-ups), 2) hegemonic masculinity (e.g., peer approval of sexual assault, an environment for rape myth acceptance, hostility towards women, sexist beliefs and Greek membership), and 3) other forms of dating violence (e.g., the strongest risk markers as noted above). Furthermore, the author notes that together these factors can also create a culture that might inhibit others from intervening or giving support to the students at risk for being harmed. On a campus-wide scale, solutions will therefore need to address the dangers of the party and alcohol culture and the imbalances that this culture creates to support hegemonic masculinity while still allowing students to create rewarding experiences related to alcohol and relationships and sex.
Empathy was the one noted protective factor against male sexual assault perpetration.
Factors which were not significantly related to male sexual assault perpetration included: adherence to gender roles, being a victim of psychological dating violence, athletic team membership, being a racial/ethnic minority, being in a relationship, religiosity, and the year in school. The authors noted that even if they are not a significant risk marker, it does not mean that these are protective factors against sexual assault perpetration.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS
This meta-analysis stands out from previous research in that it shows clearly which factors are linked to the perpetration of sexual assault on college campuses. These finding provide excellent anchor points for those trying to assess, intervene, or establish prevention attempts in a college or university setting. In addition to the risk markers themselves, the authors have organized the information in a way that facilitates a clearer understanding of what effective prevention can look like. The presence of empathy was a protective factor, suggesting that this can be a worthwhile area of focus in education, assessment, and treatment.
IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FIELD
As the authors note, this meta-analysis shows that peer education and student leaders who act as role models and who challenge sexual assault-supportive attitudes and beliefs can play a significant role in preventing sexual assault. By developing and attending to a prosocial and safer culture on campuses, with attention to these risk domains, professionals and students alike can now work together more effectively than ever before. More than anything, this study shows that understanding the factors that lead to the perpetration of sexual assault on campuses is preventable.
CITATION:
Spencer, C. M., Rivas-Koehl, M., Astle, S., Toews, M. L., Anders, K. M., & McAllister, P. (2022). Risk markers for male perpetration of sexual assault on college campuses: a meta-analysis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 15248380221097437.
ABSTRACT
Sexual assault (SA) on college campuses remains a prominent public health issue. This meta-analysis focuses on identifying all potential risk markers for college male SA perpetration. Using standard search procedures, a total of 25 studies yielding 89 unique effect sizes were included in the study. Significant risk markers were related to hegemonic masculinity (e.g., peer approval of SA, rape myth acceptance, sexist beliefs, hostility towards women), other forms of dating violence perpetration (e.g., physical and psychological dating violence perpetration), and the college party culture (e.g., binge drinking, alcohol and substance use, frequency of hook-ups). Psychological dating violence victimization, athletic team membership, race/ethnicity, relationship status, and religiosity were not significant risk markers for SA perpetration. Findings support potential benefits of SA prevention efforts prioritizing peer education/student leaders modeling SA disapproval, challenging hegemonic masculinity, healthy relationship and sexual education, as well as alcohol and substance use awareness.
