Victim often knows sexual attacker

DURHAM, N.H. (UPI) -- A University of New Hampshire study shows that the vast majority of incidents of unwanted sex on campus are perpetrated by someone the victim knows.

More than 2,400 undergraduate students were surveyed in the 2005/2006 academic year, with previous student surveys conducted in 1988 and 2000.

"Colleges and universities around the country find this same percentage, yet the stereotype remains that the perpetrator is a stranger," the study said. "We need to continue to educate the campus community that acquaintances are most likely to be the perpetrators against women."

Overall, unwanted sexual contact occurs where students live, in the context of social events, and often alcohol is involved, the study said.

Of the female victims surveyed, 85 percent report that someone they know committed unwanted sexual intercourse.

Seven percent reported having unwanted sex themselves, while 25 percent reported unwanted sexual contact, the study found.

Copies of the study are available at: unh.edu/news/docs/2006unwantedsexualexperiences.pdf.


Copyright 2008 by United Press International
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