Female Sexual Aggression on Campus: Misperceptions and Implications for Intervention
Document Type
Contribution to Book
Publication Date
2023
Publisher
Springer
Source Publication
Perceptions of Female Offenders, Vol. 1
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-42007-8_3
Abstract
Sexual aggression on college campuses continues to be a widespread problem, and sexually aggressive acts perpetrated by women are frequently overlooked. Despite numerous methodological challenges, it is clear that college women perpetrate sexual aggression, albeit at lower rates, than do men. Women are more likely to use verbally—rather than physically—coercive tactics, and they perpetrate against people of all genders. Most of the correlates of sexual aggression in college women parallel those in college men and suggest that the same traditionally gendered belief systems (heteronormative and adversarial sexual beliefs, traditional views of gender norms and sex scripts) are implicated in sexually aggressive behaviors of both women and men. The prevalence and impact of female-perpetrated sexual aggression are minimized and misperceived, and these misperceptions likely influence colleges’ handling of sexual misconduct. Colleges can better recognize female sexual aggression and better support victims of female sexual aggression through changes to messaging and training.
Recommended Citation
Oswald, Debra, "Female Sexual Aggression on Campus: Misperceptions and Implications for Intervention" (2023). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 644.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/644
Comments
"Female Sexual Aggression on Campus: Misperceptions and Implications for Intervention," in Perceptions of Female Offenders, Vol. 1. Eds. Brenda Russell and Celia Torres. New York: Springer, 2023: 43-57. DOI.