Predictors of bystander behaviors and sexual assertiveness among college women attending a sexual assault prevention program

摘要

Identifying predictors of bystander behaviors and sexual assertiveness can help to inform sexual assault prevention programs on college campuses. College sorority members (N = 141) completed measures of sexual assault history, rape myth acceptance, bystander self-efficacy, sexual assertiveness, and bystander behaviors before attending The Women's Program, which is a bystander-based sexual assault prevention program. Regression analyses were conducted. Lower rape myth acceptance and greater bystander self-efficacy predicted more engagement in bystander behaviors and higher sexual assertiveness. A total of 28 participants completed a 2-week follow-up survey that included measures of rape myth acceptance, bystander self-efficacy, and sexual assertiveness. T-test analyses were conducted. Rape myth acceptance was significantly lower among participants at 2-week follow-up compared to baseline. Implications for sexual assault prevention on college campuses are discussed.