Factors influencing experiences of non-consensual sex: results from a mixed data cross-sectional online survey of Australian university students

Kathryn Wenham; Jo Durham; Amy B Mullens; Annette Brömdal; Joseph Debattista; Gianna Parma; Zhihong Gu; Armin Ariana; Charles F Gilks; Sara F E Bell; Judith A Dean

doi:10.1071/SH24165

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Factors influencing experiences of non-consensual sex: results from a mixed data cross-sectional online survey of Australian university students

Journal article

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Factors influencing experiences of non-consensual sex: results from a mixed data cross-sectional online survey of Australian university students

Kathryn Wenham, Jo Durham, Amy B Mullens, Annette Brömdal, Joseph Debattista, Gianna Parma, Zhihong Gu, Armin Ariana, Charles F Gilks, Sara F E Bell, …

Sexual Health, Vol.22(1), pp.1-10

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/SH24165

PMID: 39874159

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Abstract

affirmative consent

Australia

non-consensual sex

planned behaviour

sexual consent

sexuality and relationship education

university students

victim survivors

Background The high prevalence of non-consensual sex, including physical force, verbal threats, intimidation, and/or verbal coercion and rape among university students, has prompted urgent calls for action from governments, statutory, and university bodies. This research aims to identify key factors students see as contributing to non-consensual sex with a view to developing effective strategies to address these issues. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was administered to 4291 university students attending universities in south-east Queensland, Australia. Participants were recruited via email, print media, and face-to-face invitations. The survey contained closed and open-ended questions on a range of sexual health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, including non-consensual sexual experiences. A subset of students (n = 199) who responded ‘yes’ to engaging in sexual acts against their consent were the primary participants for this paper. Descriptive statistical analysis and thematic analysis, employing the theory of planned behaviour, were conducted using the quantitative and qualitative data regarding non-consensual sex, respectively. Results Immediate and longer-term fear and partner eagerness were the most commonly identified influences on non-consensual sex. An inability to give consent due to lack of consciousness or intoxication were also frequently cited factors contributing to non-consensual sex. Conclusions Interventions acknowledging and addressing sociocultural factors are needed. Sexuality and relationship education encompassing effective communication, relationship boundaries, and safe use of alcohol and drugs could substantially reduce the incidence of non-consensual sex. Importantly, such education should be non-judgmental and place greater responsibility on perpetrators than victim-survivors.

Details

Title: Factors influencing experiences of non-consensual sex: results from a mixed data cross-sectional online survey of Australian university students
Authors: Kathryn Wenham (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Public Health
Jo Durham - Queensland University of Technology
Amy B Mullens - University of Southern Queensland
Annette Brömdal - University of Southern Queensland
Joseph Debattista - Metro North Health (Australia, Herston)
Gianna Parma - True Relationships and Reproductive Health (Australia)
Zhihong Gu - Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia)
Armin Ariana - Griffith University
Charles F Gilks - The University of Queensland
Sara F E Bell - The University of Queensland
Judith A Dean - The University of Queensland
Publication details: Sexual Health, Vol.22(1), pp.1-10
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1071/SH24165
ISSN: 1449-8987
PMID: 39874159
Copyright note: © 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
Data Availability: The data that support this study cannot be publicly shared due to ethical reasons and may be shared on reasonable request to the corresponding author, if appropriate.
Grant note: Funds for this project came from a combination of sources including: QUT School of Public Health and Social Work KickStart Grant; Queensland BBV/STI Professoriate Chair Discretionary Seed Research Grant; and the Griffith University Dean of Medicine Griffith Seed Project Funds. Participating universities, Metro North Hospital and Health Services, and the community organisations contributed in-kind funding to cover salaries and travel time of the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigators and steering committee members.
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Public Health
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991098746302621
Output Type: Journal article

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