10 Hidden Student Populations: Survivors of Sexual Violence/Sex Trafficking

This semester’s section concerning sexual violence and human trafficking covered some graphic material and at times it was difficult to review, but I feel well-informed about this population and their unique experiences. When I began reading Stolen by Rosenblatt, I wasn’t sure if I would genuinely enjoy reading her book, but soon I found that I could not put it down. I, like many others, used to believe that human trafficking was a distant problem, one that did not affect us here at home. I now know better. From a higher education lens, I now have a better understanding of the issue of sexual violence on campus as well as available resources for victims. The book Intersections of Identity and Sexual Violence on Campus by Jessica C. Harris and Chris Linder informed me about how the majority of media coverage regarding sexual violence is over cases concerning white women when in reality, people of color experience higher rates of sexual violence.

Sexual Violence Prevention Training Plan

            Higher education opens many doors of opportunity, and while academics should be the most important thing for students to focus on, realistically that is not often the case. Many have families or children while others may have jobs. Others may arrive to college with unresolved trauma from their past or they may be facing traumatic events during their time at school. Sexual violence prevention efforts have been implemented by higher education institutions for many years, but there is still room for improvement with how the programs are designed and practiced. Prevention programs are more effective when their training is ongoing rather than a one-time session. Offering more inclusive training to all gender identities also eliminates the stereotypical ideal that only women are victims of sexual violence or that only men can be perpetrators (Orchowski et al., 2020). Rather than requiring a one-time training module, higher education institutions should consider implementing an optional sexual violence prevention program for students to help promote awareness, destigmatize the issue, and provide additional self defense training and bystander training

Resources

The subjects of sexual violence and human trafficking are never comfortable topics to discuss but talking about them and bringing awareness to them is one of the most effective prevention tools in practice. Scott et al. (2019) noted that many of the current pieces of legislation pertaining to human trafficking prevention often lacks credibility, or that they fail to cite experts as sources from where they found their information. This can be harmful because when victims look for information online, they need to know that what is provided is correct and credible. Many institutions already have sexual violence prevention plans in place, but there is still room for improvement when it comes to how these plans are designed and how they are implemented into practice. Currently at Oklahoma State University, they have a program called 1is2Many which has a mandatory training module that all new students must complete. The training is online which ensures that even remote students and online students can complete the program. They also have information for additional resources for victims who may need help. This program is helpful, but how effective is a one-time required training course? Many students may forget the useful information that is provided in the videos and modules. Another potential issue is that the program could be triggering for some students. The videos have trigger warnings, but how can these students ensure that they are getting the same training that every other student gets with this program? Another issue to consider is that some students may put themselves at even greater risk if they engage in sex work.

The Glamorized Appeal of Sex Work

Students often find themselves in situation where they struggle financially. College is expensive, and without student aid or assistance from family, they may not have means to pay for books and tuition. If they are enrolled full-time, they may not be able to work very much. Due to growing popularity and mainstream success, the concept of sex work or online sex solicitation has become glamorized and sugarcoated. They see the money that some workers may make, but they do not realize that the risk often outweighs the potential reward. Stewart (2021) notes that the primary motivation for college students to engage in sex work is monetary. They see a significant benefit because they can spend less time working while still turning a substantial profit. While many sex workers state that they feel empowered and that they feel safe in their work, several endure sexual violence while engaging in sex work (Stewart, 2021). When they experience sexual abuse or physical harm, many do not report the incident due to the stigma as well as the criminalization of sex work. Stewart also notes that a significant portion of those who experience physical abuse while engaging in sex work are transgender persons of color, which can also make it more difficult for them to report harm (2021). Sexual violence affects many college students and is therefore an issue within higher education. Oftentimes it can accompany another major issue found on campus, binge drinking and alcohol abuse.

The Link Between Sexual Violence and Alcohol Abuse

Anderson et al. (2020) argued that sexual violence increases the risk of alcohol abuse or binge drinking while alcohol abuse and binge drinking increase the risk of sexual violence. Also, those who have experienced sexual violence prior to beginning college are more likely to reexperience sexual violence while enrolled. Harris and Linder (2017) also note on how alcohol consumption can place one at a higher risk of being sexually victimized while it can also increase sexual aggression. They also state that completed rapes are more likely to involve alcohol use (2017). Institutions cannot ignore the severity of the issues pertaining to sexual violence and alcohol abuse. Rather than ignoring them, they should address the issues by partnering with on-campus resources to promote awareness and to encourage prevention efforts.

Traditional Sexual Violence Prevention Methods

Orchowski et al. (2020) reviewed certain prevention programs to better understand their design and their effectiveness. Historically, sexual violence prevention efforts have indirectly insinuated that women are victims and men are perpetrators. Programs designed for women often include self defense training while programs targeted towards men often touch on self-awareness and empathy training. They also discussed that some programs frame their practice around bystander training (Orchowski et al., 2020). Providing more people with information regarding what to do in a scenario where someone is in danger of sexual violence can potentially increase the likelihood that they will intervene and assist the targeted person. This approach also ensures that all gender identities will be able to participate, creating a more open and inclusive environment.

Ongoing Gender Inclusive Sexual Violence Training Plan

Many higher education institutions already have programs in place to promote awareness and training to students, staff, and faculty concerning sexual violence and prevention methods. Although there may already be resources available on campus, there is still potential for improvement. Rather than having one required training session for incoming freshmen and transfer students, institutions should consider implementing an additional training program that has yearly refresher courses to better prepare students for potential scenarios where they might need to assist someone in trouble. The additional training program could be optional, allowing students who may feel uncomfortable or triggered to opt out. Three major areas of focus for the development of this program concern the training of faculty and staff, the training of student bystanders, and the involvement of the local community.

Staff Training

One other major thing to consider when developing sexual violence prevention programs is the importance of building a strong network of faculty and staff members who are well-equipped to assist students in need. Staff members are often responsible for overseeing students’ violence prevention training, and so having a well-informed team to effectively inform and prepare students for sexual violence prevention is vital (Harris and Linder, 2017). The team should be competent on issues regarding diversity while also being willing and able to advocate for inclusive policies that will directly affect the students.

The program coordinators overseeing the design and implementation of a potential sexual violence prevention program on campus should consider partnering with one or multiple on-campus organizations such as mental health services, student wellness centers, or student government associations. This could help promote awareness of the issue of sexual violence while also advertising the program to potential participants. This could also allow those who may need to seek resources feel more comfortable asking for assistance. The power of community and support can be beneficial in creating a more inclusive and comfortable environment for those who have experienced sexual trauma. Many campuses merge mental health resources with substance counseling resources. As Anderson et al. (2020) have noted, sexual violence is often accompanied by the misuse of alcohol. Merging these programs into one or equipping staff with the necessary skills will ensure that the students they help within their daily professions have access to trustworthy and understanding resources on their campus. These same faculty and staff members will also be those likely to oversee training of student advocates who wish to become more involved with sexual violence prevention efforts on campus. Once a program has been established, program coordinators should keep records of faculty and staff training sessions as well as those for students and they should assess the overall effectiveness of the program by analyzing the results.

Student Training

Although requiring a training module over the issue of sexual violence brings awareness while also destigmatizing the problem, providing optional opportunities for continuing training can be beneficial. Students who wish to be learn more about sexual violence prevention should be able to access further instruction within their campus communities. Students who have been through adequate bystander training for sexual violence prevention are more likely to intervene and assist those who may be in danger (Orchowski et al., 2020). While programs in the past have catered to specific gender identities, a gender inclusive program is ideal and eliminates the risk of perpetuating gender discrimination. Historically, college campuses have failed to consider other social identities apart from women when approaching the issue of sexual violence prevention (Harris and Linder, 2017). It is imperative that prevention efforts consider those of all gender identities as well as sexual identities. Programs have often warned women to be aware of their surroundings and to be alert, but the truth is that people are more likely to encounter sexual violence from someone that they know personally, and sometimes that person is someone of the same gender identity (Harris and Linder, 2017). Rather than warning women to fear strange men, these student training programs should discuss the issues of binge drinking and how the misuse of alcohol can lead to unwanted sexual approaches. They should also discuss how simply speaking up or drawing attention to someone who is being suspicious can sometimes prevent sexual violence from happening. Colleges should consider reaching out to local community organizations and local law enforcement offices to potentially design community-based training programs for staff, faculty, and students. Including the community can promote feelings of inclusion while also establishing bonds between the university campus and local organizations.

Sexual violence is one issue that higher education institutions cannot ignore. Victims of sexual violence deserve to know that their university will support them if something should happen to them while they are pursuing their degrees. Students need additional resources outside of the classroom, whether that be counseling services or recovery support. Students who have endured sexual trauma prior to college or during college may need these services also. Unresolved trauma can lead to physical and mental health issues, and sometimes students misuse alcohol to cope. It is important for institutions to provide resources and to train faculty and staff members with the necessary tools to assist students for the prevention of sexual violence.

References

Anderson, J.C., Chugani, C.D., Jones, K.A., Coulter, R.W.S., Chung, T., & Miller, E. (2020). Characteristics of precollege sexual violence victimization and associations with sexual violence revictimization during college. Journal of American College Health, 68(5), 509-517. DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1583237

Harris, J.C., & Linder, C. (2017). Intersections of Identity and Sexual Violence on Campus. Stylus.

Orchowski, L.M., Edwards, K.M., Hollander, J.A., Banyard, V.L., Senn, C.Y., & Gidycz, C.A. (2020). Integrating sexual assault resistance, bystander, and men’s social norms strategies to prevent sexual violence on college campuses: A call to action. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, 21(4), 811-827. DOI: 10.1177/1524838018789153

Scott, J.T., Ingram, A.M., Nemer, S.L., & Crowley, D.M. (2019). Evidence-based human trafficking policy: Opportunities to invest in trauma-informed strategies. American Journal of Community Psychology, 64(3-4), 348-358. https://doi.org.argo.library.okstate.edu/10.1002/ajcp.12394

Stewart, T.J. (2021). “Dear higher education, there are sex workers on your campus”: Rendering visible the realities of US college students engaged in sex work. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. 1-13. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/dhe0000351

Student Support & Conduct. (n.d.). 1 is 2 Many. Oklahoma State University. https://1is2many.okstate.edu

Sexual Violence Awareness Handout

In addition to the applications and considerations paper for this course, we also designed handouts with useful information and available on-campus resources regarding this issue.

ACPA and NASPA (2015) Competency Statement:

Social justice and inclusion along with law, policy, and governance would be beneficial competencies for practitioners to research further when working with students who may have experiences or who may be experiencing sexual violence. Social justice and inclusion would allow practitioners to know the best ways to promote awareness while also being sure that they are not putting students at risk of being identified or exploited. Practitioners also need to be well-read in the laws and policies, both state and federal, that potentially impact students that may be dealing with sexual violence  or sex trafficking.