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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
UK and Australian University Students’ Perceptions of the Nature of Sexual Assault and Intervening Behavior
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol.39(9-10), pp.1952-1975
2024
Appears in UniSC Supported Open Access Outputs
Abstract
Sexual assault is a global problem, with the risk highest among university students. Bystander intervention preventing sexual assaults has primarily been researched using quantitative methods to understand what factors influence it. However, both sexual assault and bystander intervention are complex with many subtle and overlapping issues that, when analyzed qualitatively, can offer new insights. The current study aimed to explore and develop a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of students’ perceptions of sexual assault and bystander intervention across two universities, one in the United Kingdom and one in Australia. Thirty-nine university students (19 in the United Kingdom; 20 in Australia) took part in one-to-one semistructured interviews. Using inductive thematic analysis, two overarching themes were identified: (a) navigating the complex dynamics of sexual assault; and (b) decisions to intervene or not to intervene. Findings suggest that the complexity and ambiguity around sexual assault can forestall bystander intervention. As such, increasing education, awareness, and discussions around sexual assault and bystander intervention is vital to increase awareness of the problem and mobilize action from bystanders to prevent sexual assault.
Details
- Title
- UK and Australian University Students’ Perceptions of the Nature of Sexual Assault and Intervening Behavior
- Authors
- Danielle Labhardt (Corresponding Author) - Manchester Metropolitan UniversitySarah J Brown (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Criminology - LegacyEmma Holdsworth (Author) - Coventry UniversityNadine McKillop (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention UnitDouglas Howat (Author) - Coventry UniversityChristian M Jones (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Engage Research Lab
- Publication details
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol.39(9-10), pp.1952-1975
- Publisher
- Sage Publications, Inc.
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1177/08862605231212171
- ISSN
- 1552-6518; 0886-2605
- Copyright note
- © The Author(s) 2023. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; Engage Research Lab; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; School of Law and Criminology - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99978098902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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