Does a history with sexual assault impact bystander intervention engagement

Bibliographic Data

ID15749080
AuthorsPaul Branscum (0000-0002-3335-8282, Miami University, corresponding author), Gwen Hirko (Miami University), Sarah Rush‐Griffin (Long Island University), Christine L Hackman (0000-0002-9410-3099, California Polytechnic State University)
Year2024
Volume9
Issue1
Pages40-57
Publication date2024-07-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Gender-Based Violence (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2398-6808 • E-ISSN: 2398-6816
PublisherPolicy Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1332/23986808y2024d000000039
OpenAlexW4400379144
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited24

Bystander intervention is a method of sexual violence prevention aimed at reducing the serious and pervasive issue of sexual assault on college campuses. The current study utilises the reasoned action approach (RAA) to examine potential differences in bystander intervention engagement between college students with exposure or experience related to sexual assault to students with no such history. Students (n=290) from two mid-sized universities completed a survey examining the RAA constructs (instrumental and experiential attitudes, injunctive and descriptive norms, capacity and autonomy), their sexual assault knowledge, and anticipated regret in reference to bystander intervention. Results showed that participants with exposure or experience related to sexual assault had significantly higher behavioural intentions (p=.018; d=.31), instrumental attitudes (p<.001; d=.55), injunctive norms (p=.026; d=.29), capacity (p=.002; d=.40), autonomy (p=.022; d=.28), anticipated regret (p<.001; d=.56), and sexual assault knowledge (p=.018; d=.31). The RAA constructs also explained a significant amount of the variance of intentions for both groups (with exposure/experience adjust R2 =.501; without exposure/experience adjust R2 =.660). The RAA constructs and anticipated regret appear to be important predictors to consider when planning bystander intervention programmes aimed at reducing sexual assault on college campuses

Bystander effect · Criminology · Intervention (counseling · Medical emergency · Poison control · Psychiatry · Sexual assault · Sexual violence · Suicide prevention · Clinical Psychology · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social Psychology

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