Predictors of Sexual Victimization Among Autistic and Non-Autistic College Students

Abstract

Purpose. This study examined predictors of sexual victimization among autistic and non-autistic college students. Specifically, we aimed to determine whether autistic students are more likely than non-autistic students to experience unwanted sexual contact and sexual assault, controlling for co-occurring diagnoses. We also aimed to determine whether students with other disabilities, specifically ADHD, learning disability (LD), and psychological disorders, are more likely than students without these disabilities to experience unwanted sexual contact and sexual assault. Methods. Autistic students (n=270) and non-autistic students (n=270) who had participated in a nationwide survey were matched on demographic characteristics and co-occurring diagnoses. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to address the research questions and evaluate predictors of unwanted sexual contact and sexual assault. Results. Autistic students were as likely as non-autistic students to have experienced unwanted sexual contact and sexual assault, controlling for co-occurring diagnoses. Regardless of autism diagnostic status, students with ADHD were more likely than students without ADHD to have experienced unwanted sexual contact and sexual assault. Conclusions. Although autism diagnostic status was not a significant predictor of unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault, other factors associated with increased risk of sexual victimization, such as co-occurring ADHD, are likely to be found in autistic populations. This study highlights the importance of educational, social, and institutional supports to decrease sexual victimization among college students with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Interpersonal Violence Reported by Autistic Adults: A Systematic Review

“…The third college sample was based on a smaller sample size of 540, half of whom were autistic. In this sample there was no significant group difference in reported rates of unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault (Libster et al, 2023). Griffiths et al (2019) surveyed 426 autistic adults (M = 44 years, SD = 14.37) and 268 non-autistic adults (M = 51 years, SD = 15.33) about a range of negative life experiences, including violence.…”

“…The reported rates appear substantially -and alarmingly -high compared to the general population where prevalence of violence ranges between 35 to 40% (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016;World Health Organisation, 2013). Only two studies that collected self-report data from both autistic and non-autistic groups found no difference in rates of reported interpersonal violence (Gibbs et al, 2021;Libster et al, 2023). It is important to note, however, that in the Gibbs et al (2021) study the mean age of autistic and non-autistic participants was 43 years, and the time frame was restricted to the previous two years only.…”

“…Weiss and Fardella (2018) found no relationship between either social competence or emotion regulation and poly-victimisation during adulthood in their smaller sample of 45 autistic and 42 non-autistic adults. Two studies found that co-occurring ADHD was associated with higher rates of reported violence (Ghirardi et al, 2023;Libster et al, 2023). Depression and sense of belonging were correlated with physical, sexual, and emotional aggression victimisation in the previous 12 months for autistic students (Rothman et al, 2021).…”

“…One study developed a new measure, the Vulnerability Experiences Quotient, in consultation with autistic adults and other stakeholders, which included questions related to physical assault, peer aggression and forced sexual activity during adulthood (Griffiths et al, 2019). The five remaining self-report quantitative studies used novel survey questions related to interactions with police as victims of violence (physical assault, harassment, sexual assault) in the previous three years (Gibbs & Haas, 2020); experiences of sexual harassment, stalking and harassment, sexual and physical violence since the age of 15 (Gibbs et al, 2022); experiences of physical assault, sexual assault or emotional aggression in the previous 12 months (Rothman et al, 2021) and unwanted sexual contact and sexual assault in a university campus setting over the previous five years (Brown et al, 2017) or since starting college (Libster et al, 2023).…”

Sexual victimization of autistic college students.

“…Research has shown that autistic individuals are more likely to experience victimization (Pfeffer, 2016), inclusive of sexual victimization (Edelson, 2010; Libster et al, 2023; Rothman et al, 2023) than others. Yet, the body of work that has empirically examined autistic individuals’ vulnerability to victimization, in general, has largely focused on autistic children (Pfeffer, 2016) or has been limited by small sample sizes (Weiss & Fardella, 2018).…”