First Advisor

Brian Iannacchione

First Committee Member

Victoria Terranova

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Document Type

Thesis

Date Created

8-1-2024

Department

College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Criminology and Criminal Justice, CRJ Student Work

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the impact, if any, that holding marginalized identities has on the willingness to report sexual victimization to law enforcement, Title IX offices, and informal support routes. This study examines the various factors that may influence one’s willingness to report sexual victimization through both formal and informal routes. Formal routes include law enforcement and Title IX, while informal routes involve the self-disclosure of victimization to families, friends, or romantic partners. This research specifically explores how racial and ethnic identities, sexual orientation, and gender identity can influence an individual's perceived willingness to report sexual victimization that they may experience. Four hypotheses were analyzed.

H1 Individuals with marginalized identities will have a lower perceived willingness to report sexual victimization to law enforcement.

H2 Individuals with marginalized identities will have a lower perceived willingness to report sexual victimization to their university’s Title IX office.

H3 Individuals identifying as male will have a lower perceived willingness to report sexual victimization through either of the formal routes.

H4 Individuals, regardless of their identities, will have a higher perceived willingness to disclose sexual victimization to their friends and family, compared to their perceived willingness to report through formal routes.

Using an anonymous online survey, this study analyzed survey data to identify trends and underlying reasons for these relationships. A sample was collected from undergraduate students attending the University of Northern Colorado. Approximately 80 professors received the survey and were asked the distribute the survey to undergraduate students enrolled in their courses. The final sample included 73 respondents. The previous literature revealed significant disparities in reporting rates among different demographic groups highlighting the impact of systemic biases and social support networks. However, in this study, findings revealed little significance between these identities and perceived willingness to report, based on a survey ranking trust in these different reporting entities. Students were generally more willing to report to Title IX over law enforcement, and more willing to disclose sexual victimization to friends over family members. Of the different identities studied, the connection between willingness to report and sexual orientation did appear to be the most consistent with previous literature, which supported the claim that non-heterosexual and non-cisgendered individuals would be less willing to report sexual victimization.

Abstract Format

html

Disciplines

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Keywords

victimization; sexual victimization; reporting sexual assault; Title IX; law enforcement

Language

English

Extent

92 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author

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