NCJ Number
177800
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 230-250
Date Published
March 1999
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The extent to which women recognize known factors indicating that they are at risk for acquaintance rape or sexual assault was examined using data from 140 college students in Washington.
Abstract
The research also sought to determine the relationship between situationally specific perceptions and global risk perceptions and whether women assessed the risk of sexual aggression for other women the same as for themselves. The participants were 140 undergraduates at the University of Washington with an average age of 20.3 years. They participated in groups of 12. They completed risk ratings for sexual aggression in one of three dating scenarios: a first date, a fifth date, or a typical date. The data analysis focused on the relationship between women's recognition of known situational risk factors and global perceived risk, prior victimization, and drinking habits. The participants consistently distinguished between clear and ambiguous situational risk factors, although these were not related to their perceived global risk. They also tended to underestimate their own risk of being assaulted relative to other women. Both prior victimization and drinking habits were related to risk assessments. Findings both furthered understanding of how women assess their risk of acquaintance rape and also highlight the complexity of understanding this phenomenon. Findings also point to the need for further search to develop effective and well-targeted interventions against sexual assault. Tables and 41 references (Author abstract modified)