SEXUAL ASSAULT AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: AN EXPLORATION OF THE BLACK FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE AND ROUTINE ACTIVITY THEORY

The current study explored unwanted sexual contact (USC) among African American female students (N=3,506). A subgroup analysis included participants with non-heteronormative sexuality (n=348). It was a secondary analysis of data from the 2008 HBCU-CSA Study. Complimentary principles of Black feminism and routine activity theory examined the impact of identity, culture of dissemblance, vulnerability, and sexual assault on college campuses. Four types of USC were examined - any, coerced, incapacitated, and forced. The first research question examined the characteristics and situational factors associated with USC. Hypotheses examined the effect of drinking, situational exposure to alcohol, and non-heteronormativity sexuality on USC. Demographic, educational, and prior sexual assault variables were included as controls. Logistic regression models were estimated for each type of USC. Frequency of drinking significantly increased the likelihood of all types of USC. Situational exposure to alcohol increased the likelihood of all types of USC except incapacitated. The second research question explored whether the culture of dissemblance exists among women with non-heteronormative sexuality and whether it may offer protection against various types of trauma, including sexual victimization. Bivariate analysis showed evidence of support for this hypothesis in regard to all types of USC except forced. One contribution of this study is that it expanded the typical definition of sexual assault to include both attempted and coerced assaults. Inclusion of these aspects of sexual assault have important methodological, theoretical, and clinical implications.Doctor of Philosoph