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This study examined whether knowledge of sexual consent buffers the relationship between risk factors for sexual violence (SV) and SV perpetration among first-year college men. The study data were drawn from a longitudinal study with 1144 first-year college men. A series of generalized linear models were conducted to examine whether knowledge of sexual consent moderated the relationship between SV risk factors and SV perpetration. Knowledge of sexual consent moderated the effect of hypermasculinity (P < 0.001), binge drinking (P < 0.001), rape-supportive social norms (P = 0.007) and peer support for SV (P < 0.001) such that there was a positive association between risk factors and SV perpetration among those with lower, but not higher, knowledge of sexual consent. Knowledge of sexual consent did not significantly moderate the relationship between SV perpetration and outcome expectancies for non-consensual sex (P = 0.387) and pornography use (P = 0.494). Knowledge of sexual consent may counteract risk factors for SV perpetration among young college men. The findings highlight the need for consent education to be incorporated in youth comprehensive sexual education to increase knowledge of sexual consent prior to college and campus-based SV prevention programming delivered to college students.

Objective: To investigate the predictive role of victimization in suicidality among college women. Participants: Female respondents to the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment II (N = 258). Methods: Multivariate logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between victimization and suicidality. Results: Emotional victimization (odds ratio [OR] = 11.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.43, 57.19, p < 0.01), physical victimization (OR = 6.10, 95% CI = 1.49, 25.08, p < 0.05), and sexual victimization (OR = 7.53, 95% CI = 2.06, 27.50, p < 0.01) were all significantly associated with an increased odds of suicidality even after considering the role of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusions: Victimization is a significant and independent predictor of suicidality among college women. Controlling for relevant psychological health-related variables, college women who reported any of the 3 types of victimization had more than 8 times the odds of suicidality compared with nonvictims.

This study examined risk of suicidal behavior among low-income, African American women (N = 369) in three types of male intimate relationships--intimate terrorism (IT) (i.e., physical violence used within a general pattern of coercive control), situational couple violence (SCV; i.e., episodic physical violence that is not part of a general pattern of coercive control), and nonviolent (NV; i.e., no physical violence). IT victims had more than double the odds of suicidal behavior compared to SCV victims and this association remained significant after controlling for physical violence severity, depression symptoms, and alcohol and drug abuse. Risk of suicidal behavior was not significantly different for SCV victims compared to women in NV relationships. Findings emphasize the need for researchers and practitioners to distinguish between types of male partner violence when examining its context and consequences for female victims. (Contains 3 tables.)

Research indicates that two major forms of partner violence exist, intimate terrorism (IT) and situational couple violence (SCV). The current study (N=389) used a subgroup of women who responded to the Chicago Women's Health Risk Study to examine whether type of violence experienced is differentially related to formal (e.g., police, medical agencies, counseling) and informal (e.g., family, friends/neighbors) help seeking. IT victims were more likely to seek each type of formal help but were equally or less likely to seek informal help. Findings can inform both family violence research and the development and implementation of social service programs.

The current study used a random sample of 563 low-income women to test Johnson's (1995) theory that there are two major forms of male-partner violence, situational couple violence and intimate terrorism, which are distinguished in terms of their embeddedness in a general pattern of control. The study examined the associations between type of violence experienced and respondents physical health, psychological distress, and economic well being. Analyses revealed three distinct patterns of partner violence: intimate terrorism, control-no threat, and situational couple violence. Compared to victims of control-no threat and situational couple violence, victims of intimate terrorism reported more injuries from physical violence and more work-activity time lost because of injuries. Compared to women who experienced no violence in the previous year, victims of intimate terrorism reported a greater likelihood of visiting a doctor, poorer health, more psychological distress, and a greater likelihood of receiving government assistance.

Examined attitudes toward marital rape-in particular, the impact of gender and fraternity/sorority membership on respondents' views regarding marital rape versus rape by a stranger, as well as feelings about actions that a victim of marital rape may take. While fraternity and nonfraternity men showed significant differences in responses, sorority membership had little impact on women's responses. (BF)