NCJ Number
138600
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1992) Pages: 383-395
Date Published
1992
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation (homosexual males and females) was studied in a sample of 121 undergraduate students between 19 and 22 years old.
Abstract
Two data sets were combined for this report after preliminary analyses for comparability found the results essentially similar. Both studies were conducted at the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University. The instrument used in the study was developed by Herek (1986) for a study of harassment at Yale University. For both studies, members of the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Student Alliance of Pennsylvania State University handed out the instrument at meetings, social events, lectures, films, and dances. Survey questions concerned harassment directed to the respondent due to his or her sexual orientation or presumed sexual orientation. Respondents were also questioned about the reporting of the harassment to appropriate authorities. Respondents were also asked about the degree to which they have changed their behavior to avoid harassment and the nature of these changes. Background questions were included in the questionnaire. Over three- fourths of the respondents reported verbal abuse, and over one-fourth had been threatened with violence. Other students were the most frequent victimizers. Few of the respondents reported victimization to authorities. Fear for one's personal safety on campus was related to frequency of personal harassment. The implications of such harassment and discrimination for the psychological development of lesbians and gay men are discussed. 3 tables and 19 references