An Explanatory Study of Hbcu Students' Perceptions of Campus Climate, Experiences, Knowledge, and Beliefs, and Its Influence on Sexual Assault Disclosure

Davis-Williams, Natasha L., Clark Atlanta University

2023-05

2020-2029

Many college students experience some form of nonconsensual sexual act or sexual violence before graduating college, and sexual victimization on college and university campuses continues to be a problem. These acts of violence, which include dating violence, rape, and stalking, have long-term effects on survivors that are often manifested in their physical, mental, and emotional health and academic status. Although legislative policies have been implemented to facilitate improvement in the prevention and reporting processes, sexual assault disclosure remains underreported. This explanatory quantitative study aimed to determine (a) Historically Black college and university (HBCU) students' perceptions of campus climate and (b) how these students' experiences, beliefs, and knowledge influence sexual assault disclosure. A self-administered survey entitled the Campus Climate Survey and designed by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, was used as the study instrument. A total of 221 students responded to an 81-question Likert-type scale survey disseminated through Google Forms, and a univariate statistic was used to determine the central tendency measures participants ' demographics. Bivariate statistics were used to explore relationships between students ' perceptions of campus ' prevention policies and resources and sexual assault disclosure. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine whether campus climate components influenced their likelihood to disclose sexual assault. The study determined a significant finding that students ' perceptions of leadership, knowledge, and student norms, as well as their perceptions of prevention policies, influenced the likelihood of disclosure. College campuses that openly inform students of sexual assault resources and discuss sexual assault policies would facilitate a favorable campus climate by increasing students ' knowledge and conveying the accessibility of services. A favorable campus climate empowers students to discuss sexual crimes openly and increases the likelihood of disclosure.

text

application/pdf

born digital

Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations

2023-05

dissertation

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Clark Atlanta University

Department of Social Work

Warrener, Corinne

Clark Atlanta University

Georgia--Atlanta

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:2023_davis_williams_natasha

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/