Lifetime victimization experiences among a sample of college men and women

Purpose: Sexual violence is a major issue among the college aged population. Consequences of sexual violence include physical injuries and short and long-term mental health issues. Furthermore, past victimization is a risk factor for future victimization. The purpose of this analysis was to examine the lifetime victimization experiences and self-reported mental health of a sample of college men and women. Design: This is a secondary analysis of a study designed to examine the victimization and perpetration experiences among men and women attending three colleges. This analysis focuses on lifetime victimization and post traumatic stress disorder symptoms of the sample. Sample: College men and women (n = 1980) from three United States universities. Methods: Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval at participating universities was obtained. Data was collected via e-mail and by paper and pencil methods. SPSS 20 was used to analyze the data. Students answered questions about victimization (past and current) and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Results: Almost 15% of the sample (n = 206) reported experiencing child sexual abuse and 30.3% reported an unwanted sexual experience during adolescence. Unwanted sexual experiences as an adolescent were associated with higher scores on all subscales of the Impact of Event Scale (Weiss, 2007). Conclusion: The pervasiveness of victimization experiences in this sample further stresses the need for early identification and best methods for assessment. Linkages to treatment and resources during college years may impact future health. College campuses and college health providers are in a unique position to identify and refer.