Breaking Down the Silence

A Study Examining Patterns of Sexual Assault and Subsequent Disclosure among Ethnic Groups of Asian Pacific Islander College Women

Abstract

Sexual assault is a widespread problem with high prevalence among college women. Disclosure of such experiences is important because it can help mitigate stress, anxiety, and depression related to sexual assault. This article provides data on sexual assault prevalence of Asian American college women and their subsequent help-seeking patterns. Using a community-based participatory research approach, crosssectional data were obtained through a Web-based quantitative survey (N=809). Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests conducted revealed that 35% of undergraduate female students experienced some form of sexual assault in their lifetime, and that more than half of women (54%) reported that their most recent incident occurred during college. The three largest Asian American ethnic sub-groups represented in the study, Chinese, South Asian, and Filipina, reported higher sexual assault prevalence during college than other ethnic groups. Women were more likely to disclose to informal sources, such as friends, family, and partners, than to formal sources. Asian Americans disclosed less often than Whites, 50% vs. 59%, respectively. The article explores existing resources to encourage disclosure and help-seeking behavior on campus, and provides suggestions for creating a more responsive campus environment.