Unspoken Truths: Perspectives on the Racial–Ethnic Disparities of Current College Students’ Vulnerability to Sexual Violence Victimization

Abstract

This study aimed to explore potential racial and ethnic disparities in the vulnerability of college students to sexual violence victimization (SVV). Using data from the 2017 to 2021 National Crime Victimization Survey incident file. The study analyzed responses from 3563 college students who provided valid information on race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and household income. Bivariate analyses compared descriptive characteristics by SVV status, and multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations between SVV, race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. The findings revealed notable disparities among racial–ethnic groups. Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic college students were less likely to report SVV than their non-Hispanic white counterparts, while students categorized as non-Hispanic other races–ethnicities including Asian, Native American, and multiracial students, were more likely to report experiencing SVV. Female students reported higher rates of SVV than male students, and sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) were more likely to report SVV than non-SGM students. Additionally, an important interaction effect was identified between gender and sexual orientation across all racial–ethnic groups. This suggests that the compounded experiences of being both an SGM regardless of race or ethnicity contribute to increased vulnerability to SVV. These findings hold important public health implications, underscoring the need for inclusive, intersectional, victim-centered, and trauma-informed approaches to SVV prevention on college campuses that address structurally produced barriers to disclosure, including institutional mistrust and racialized power dynamics within higher educational systems. Culturally responsive prevention efforts and SGM-inclusive support services are needed to reduce disparities, improve reporting, and foster safer, more equitable campus environments.