Institutional Betrayal and Sexual Assault

By Katy K -

As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to an end, it beckons for everyone to reflect on how to continue opening other’s minds to the pandemic of sexual assault. This is not a 30-day sprint to educate the world about an ongoing oversight in public health, but should be seen as a month to brainstorm and reflect on progress, milestones reached, and the steps that need to be taken in the next year to continue the awareness.

            A particular area of interest in sexual assault research and awareness is campus sexual assault. Many researchers have looked at a variety of causes and consequences of being sexually assaulted while attending a university.

A recently published article investigated one of the many possible reasons why sexual assault is hardly ever reported, institutional betrayal. These institutions are often entrusted and are depended on by the individuals that are enrolled. When a sexual assault is reported and not prosecuted or the institution perpetuates an atmosphere where sexual assault is no big deal, many survivors may feel betrayed by a place they thought of as home.

Parnitzke Smith & Freyd (2013) found that 68% of the 233 women surveyed reported at least one unwanted sexual experience. Of those 68%, 46% reported at least one form of institutional betrayal. The most reported form was making the assault seem like no big deal. This study is not only alarming that well over half of the women surveyed have suffered an unwanted sexual experience, but that of those women, they were also made to feel that it was not really an earth shattering event.

            Unwanted sexual experiences should never become the norm and should not be treated as if they are OK. With sexual assault awareness month coming to a close, it is important to address areas where efforts can be focused for the upcoming year. Standing up for a community that condones sexual assault and supports survivors should continue to be a key focus for everyone.

 



Parnitzke Smith, C. and Freyd, J.J. (2013). Dangerous safe havens: Institutional betrayal exacerbates sexual trauma. Journal ofTraumatic Stress, 26, 119-124.


Related Readings:

 

Fisher BS, Daigle LE, Cullen FT. Unsafe in the Ivory Tower: The Sexual Victimization of College Women. Los Angeles: Sage; 2010.

Flack, W., Daubman, K., Caron, M., Asadorian, J., D'Aureli, N., Gigliotti, S., et al. (2007). Risk factors and consequences of unwanted sex among university students: Hooking up, alcohol, and stress response. Journal of InterpersonalViolence , 22 (2), 139-157.

Koss, M., Abbey, A., Campbell, R., Cook, S., Norris, J., Testa, M., et al. (2007). Revising the SES: A collaborative process to imporve assesment of sexual aggression and vicitimization. Psychology of Women Quarterly , 31, 357-370.
 
Submitted by: 



Brittany Kurtz
Bucknell University, Graduate Student
Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition, Volunteer

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