Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/21936
Record ID: d7c3085c-4f7e-4d78-9644-07ab4cea2ff3
DOI: 10.1177/17455065211017062
Electronic Resources: https://doi.org/10.1177/17455065211017062
Type: Journal Article
Title: Silencing by design: Lessons learned about child sexual abuse from a university sexual assault survey
Authors: Guggisberg, Marika
Haldane, Hillary J.
Lowik, Vicki
Taylor, Annabel
Mackay, Bethany
Signal, Tania
Year: 2021
Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd STM
Citation: Volume 17
Abstract:  Background:University students have been recognized as particularly being vulnerable to sexual victimization.Purpose:With little research to date, and acknowledgement for the need of a better understanding of sexual violence, our study analysed the CQUniversity Sexual Assault Survey?s qualitative responses. An open-ended qualitative question allowed students to provide information anonymously.Methods:A total of 109 participants contributed responses with 17 respondents commenting on the fact that the survey omitted to ask about child sexual abuse prior to the cut-off age of 12 years.Results:University students revealed unexpected disclosures of prepubescent child sexual abuse victimization and ongoing sexual victimization into adulthood. Furthermore, students? comments indicated negative impacts including distress, mental health and substance use problems, distrust, and interpersonal difficulties. Strong feelings about ?silencing? prepubescent child sexual abuse in university surveys were expressed with a request that questions about child sexual abuse prior to the age of 12 years be included.Conclusion:Our study found that child sexual abuse victimization is important to students. Recommendations indicate the need for future research about sexual violence among university students without age restrictions to gain a better understanding about the impact of trauma including revictimization experiences.
URI: https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/21936
ISSN: 1745-5065
Appears in Collections:Journal Articles

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