Poster #20

Campus Sexual Assault Policy and Procedure: Examining Student Knowledge and Perception to Increase Reporting

By: Lei Raiza Zervoulakos, M.A.

Abstract:

Sexual assault has significant physical and psychological impacts on victims but remains underreported, especially in higher learning institutions. The primary aim of this study was to examine college and university students' knowledge and attitudes towards sexual assault disclosure protocols and procedures in the institutions. Students' knowledge and perception of such policies and guidelines can determine their sexual assault reporting behaviors. However, students’ demographic factors such as socialization, knowledge levels, and cultural backgrounds may influence their perceptions of sexual assault reporting behaviors. In this study, students' involvement in extracurricular activities and their enrollment modes were essential variables that influence attitudes towards the existing institutional policies. The first hypothesis for the study stated that students active in extracurricular activities on campus are likely to score higher when assessed on their knowledge of their campus sexual assault policy and procedure than students who are not engaged and active, while the second hypothesis stated that male students with fewer completed academic credits positively perceive campus sexual assault policy and procedure. Data was analyzed using SPSS software to conduct statistical analysis. The results showed no relationship between academic credits and student perception and attitude toward campus sexual assault policy and procedure. However, the respondents who participated in extracurricular activities were familiar with sexual assault policies and procedures. Moreover, male respondents scored higher in supporting initiatives by the campus administration in facilitating sexual assault reporting than those from other gender orientations. Some recommendations include offering more training on sexual assault policies to part-time students in colleges and universities. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of providing helpful information to learners. In addition, other scholars should focus on how gender and age influence the under-reporting of rape and sexual assault cases within higher learning institutions.

Lei Raiza Zervoulakos

Lei Raiza Zervoulakos is a full-time third-year doctoral student in Clinical Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. She received her B.A in Psychology at Loyola Marymount University and her M.A in Forensic Psychology with a police concentration at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She worked previously as a counselor and intake coordinator at an outpatient treatment program primarily working with the homeless and substance-abuse population. She also worked as a graduate research assistant for the Institute of Adolescent Suicide Prevention. She is passionate about helping and advocating for others, and is committed to empowering individuals who have suffered abuse in silence, raising awareness and reducing the mindset of victim blaming, victimization, and stigma attached to mental illnesses. Her research interest include abuse, trauma, and PTSD. Her dissertation focused on examining campus sexual assault policy and procedure by exploring student knowledge and perception to help increase reporting.