Small Social Networks and Disclosure After Campus Sexual Assault: How Race and School Size Can Limit Student Disclosure

Abstract

Barriers to disclosing and help seeking after campus sexual assault differ across campuses and students. Social network theory suggests that network type impacts disclosure and help-seeking behaviors, where high risk for network loss decreases disclosure and help-seeking behavior. This study, using qualitative interviews with 23 students from two universities, finds all students were concerned about losing friends after disclosure, but this was more salient for students with small social networks. Small social networks resulted from small campus size and racial minority status in a predominately white institution (PWI). The negative impacts of network loss were greatest for students of color who were unable to replace race-based networks, whereas white students were able to rebuild networks, even on a small campus.