Trauma of the Shared Environment: A Qualitative Analysis of the Experiences of Survivors of College Campus Sexual Assault

Violence Against Women. 2024 May;30(6-7):1538-1563. doi: 10.1177/10778012231163573. Epub 2023 Mar 21.

Abstract

Survivors of campus sexual assault are often tasked with healing while sharing an environment with their perpetrators. However, little is known about the effects of a shared environment on survivor well-being. A qualitative thematic analysis design was employed to address this gap. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine female survivors who identified their perpetrators as fellow students at a large state university in the southeastern U.S. The five themes that emerged are situated within an ecological framework, which is also used to guide our recommendations for supporting survivors' well-being within higher education.

Keywords: higher education; interpersonal violence; sexual assault; trauma.

MeSH terms

  • Crime Victims*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Sex Offenses*
  • Southeastern United States
  • Survivors
  • Universities