NCJ Number
136906
Date Published
1987
Length
25 pages
Annotation
The results of a survey of ethnoviolence experience on the University of Maryland-Baltimore Campus (UMBA) campus during 1986-1987 focus on student victimization, student perceptions, and attitudes.
Abstract
The basic findings of this study are that about one out of five minority students has experienced ethnoviolence, primarily psychological, but including harassment, name-calling, and other forms of verbal abuse. Within this group of victims, one out of four was harassed more than once, and one out of three became more withdrawn and isolated on campus. Approximately 80 percent of the black students were aware of the ethnoviolent incidents, and one out of three perceived the campus climate to be prejudiced; the majority of the black students perceived themselves to be potential targets of discrimination. Both Jewish and Asian students experienced similar levels of ethnoviolence. However, Jewish students were more aware of campus ethnoviolent incidents and discriminatory attitudes toward their black peers than Asian students were aware of campus events and students' attitudes. In contrast to the minority students, white students (65 percent) were not fully aware of ethnoviolent incidents, and one-third denied that discrimination is a problem for blacks on or off campus. Moreover, 80 to 90 percent of the white students did not perceive prejudice toward Asian, blacks, or Jews as part of the campus culture.