Reporting Rape in a National Sample of College Women |
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| Authors: | Kate B. Wolitzky-Taylor PhD Heidi S. Resnick PhD Ananda B. Amstadter PhD Jenna L. McCauley PhD Kenneth J. Ruggiero PhD Dean G. Kilpatrick PhD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. UCLA Anxiety Disorders Research Center , University of California–Los Angeles , Los Angeles, California;2. National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center , Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, South Carolina;3. Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Abstract Background: Studies indicate that a small percentage of rapes are reported to law enforcement officials. Research also suggests that rapes perpetrated by a stranger are more likely to be reported and that rapes involving drugs and/or alcohol are less likely to be reported. College women represent a unique and understudied population with regard to reporting rape. Methods: In the current study, the authors interviewed a national sample of 2,000 college women about rape experiences in 2006. Results: Only 11.5% of college women in the sample reported their most recent/only rape experience to authorities, with only 2.7% of rapes involving drugs and/or alcohol reported. Minority status (ie, nonwhite race) was associated with lower likelihood of reporting, whereas sustaining injuries during the rape was associated with increased likelihood of reporting. Discussion: Reporting, particularly for rapes involving drugs and alcohol, is low among college women. Implications for policy are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | college populations rape reporting sexual assault |
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