The Prevalence of Sexual Assault Among Higher Education Students: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses

Abstract

Sexual assault among higher education students has detrimental impacts on the health and educational outcomes of survivors. This systematic review aims to describe and synthesize the available quantitative evidence on sexual assault prevalence among this population. We searched Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ERIC, and CINAHL for studies published in English, French, Italian, and Spanish from database inception to August 2020 (updated May 2022). We screened studies using prespecified inclusion criteria for the population and context (registered higher education students), condition (self-reported sexual assault), and study design (quantitative survey). The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess study quality. Prevalence estimates disaggregated by type of sexual assault, gender identity, and world region were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model and reported following PRISMA guidance. We identified 131 articles, from 21 different countries. The meta-analyzed prevalence of sexual assault was 17.5% for women, 7.8% for men, and 18.1% for transgender and gender diverse people. Four types of sexual assault were identified: rape, attempted rape, forced sexual touching, and coercive sex. Forced sexual touching was the most common act experienced. The African Region had the highest prevalence estimates for women’s sexual assault, and the Western Pacific region had the highest prevalence estimates for men’s sexual assault. Higher education institutions, especially those outside of the United States, should commit to the implementation of surveys to monitor sexual assault prevalence and dedicate increased resources to supporting student survivors of sexual assault.

Sexual Violence Among Higher Education Students in the United Kingdom: Results from the Oxford Understanding Relationships, Sex, Power, Abuse and Consent Experiences Study

“…The OUR SPACE survey employed a psychometrically validated tool and a rigorous sampling strategy, while following best practice guidance on how to administer campus climate surveys. The pervasiveness of SV among higher education students, identified within the OUR SPACE survey, is consistent with literature showing the routine and common nature of SV in society in general (Stanko, 1990), and among HEI students specifically (Hirsch & Khan, 2020;Marshall et al, 2014;Rosenthal et al, 2016;Steele et al, 2023;Sutton et al, 2021). Our finding that SV is experienced differently across gender identities, with women experiencing the largest burden of SV, echoes existing evidence (Cusano et al, 2021;Hoxmeier, 2016;Steele et al, 2023).…”

“…The pervasiveness of SV among higher education students, identified within the OUR SPACE survey, is consistent with literature showing the routine and common nature of SV in society in general (Stanko, 1990), and among HEI students specifically (Hirsch & Khan, 2020;Marshall et al, 2014;Rosenthal et al, 2016;Steele et al, 2023;Sutton et al, 2021). Our finding that SV is experienced differently across gender identities, with women experiencing the largest burden of SV, echoes existing evidence (Cusano et al, 2021;Hoxmeier, 2016;Steele et al, 2023). Seen through a critical feminist lens, SV is intrinsically linked to power dynamics based on social identities (e.g., gender identity) and systems of oppression (Wooten, 2015) (Linder, 2018) and intertwined with forms of oppression and discrimination including heteronormativity, homophobia, and racism (Harris et al, 2017).…”

“…Surveys on SV among higher education students, often called “campus climate surveys,” are common in the U.S. ( Fedina et al, 2018 ; Krause et al, 2018 ) as a result of Federal policies (e.g., Title IX) compelling universities to public report prevalence statistics to prospective students. But such surveys are less common globally as was found in a recent systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of sexual assault (SA) (including forced sexual touching, coercive sex, attempted rape, and rape) in higher education ( Steele et al, 2023 ). The results estimated that 18% of women, 8% of men, and 18% of transgender or gender-diverse students have experienced SA in higher education ( Steele et al, 2023 ).…”

“…But such surveys are less common globally as was found in a recent systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of sexual assault (SA) (including forced sexual touching, coercive sex, attempted rape, and rape) in higher education ( Steele et al, 2023 ). The results estimated that 18% of women, 8% of men, and 18% of transgender or gender-diverse students have experienced SA in higher education ( Steele et al, 2023 ). This review, consistent with other reviews on campus climate surveys in the United States ( Fedina et al, 2018 ; Krause et al, 2018 ), found that forced-sexual touching was the most common type of SA experienced, followed by coercive sex, attempted rape, and rape.…”

“…In a review specifically on SH prevalence experienced by HEI students, Bondestam and Lundqvist (2020) found that on average one in four female students experienced unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. In addition to finding a dearth of evidence outside of the U.S. context, these reviews have reported methodological flaws in the evidence base, with many studies using unvalidated SV measures and/or having poor response rates, inadequate sampling strategies, and small sample sizes, which could bias estimates ( Bondestam & Lundqvist, 2020 ; Steele et al, 2023 ).…”