CAMPUS SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE AND LGBTQ+ STUDENTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PREVENTION

Campus sexual and relationship violence (SRV) has garnered increased attention due to efforts from survivor activists on #MeToo and Title IX. Much of this attention has focused on cisgender women as survivors and cisgender men as perpetrators. Recent research has suggested that LGBTQ+ students are at heightened risk of SRV compared to their cisgender heterosexual peers. Research has also shown that LGBTQ+ students may face exacerbated negative outcomes of SRV due to minority stress and may not be included in campus SRV prevention programs. Due to limited research to inform SRV prevention efforts that affirm LGBTQ+ college and university students, this dissertation sought to determine what is currently known about LGBTQ+ students’ experiences of campus SRV and to identify promising prevention strategies to better affirm LGBTQ+ students. Paper 1 uses rigorous scoping review methods to synthesize foundational knowledge about campus SRV for LGBTQ+ students including the extent and types of victimization, negative outcomes, and knowledge and attitudes about SRV as well as perspectives on SRV services and prevention education programs. Paper 1 also inventories and summarizes recommendations based on included study findings and suggests possible steps for research, practice, and policy efforts to cultivate more LGBTQ+-affirming campus SRV prevention initiatives. Paper 2 uses qualitative methods through semi-structured interviews with LGBTQ+-identified professionals working with both campus SRV and LGBTQ+ issues. These interviews uncovered four approaches to including or excluding LGBTQ+ students in campus SRV prevention programs as well as recommendations to cultivate more LGBTQ+-affirming campus SRV prevention efforts. It includes a list of recommendations for possible action steps at individual, relationship, community, and policy levels of the social ecological model.Paper 3 uses quantitative methods to conduct an exploratory secondary data analysis rooted in intersectionality theory. This study examines sexual orientation, gender, and race/ethnicity as predictors of SRV both individually and intersectionally. Findings point to heightened risk for gender and sexual minorities and unique risks for some multiply minoritized student groups. The findings point to both key areas for future research as well as implications for SRV practice and policy efforts.Doctor of Philosoph