College women face greater risk of sexual violence, especially if they live on campus: WSU – KOMO

Report on Sexual Violence in Higher Education and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A recent study conducted by Washington State University researchers reveals a significant increase in the risk of sexual violence for college-enrolled women compared to their non-enrolled peers. The findings, based on national crime data from 2015-2022, highlight a critical challenge to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning gender equality, quality education, and health and well-being. This report analyzes these findings through the lens of the SDG framework, underscoring the urgent need for institutional action to ensure safe and equitable educational environments.

Key Findings from the 2007-2022 Analysis

• Increased Risk for College Students: From 2015 to 2022, the six-month risk of sexual violence was 74% higher for college-enrolled women (ages 18-24) than for women in the same age group not enrolled in college.
• On-Campus Vulnerability: Women residing on university campuses faced a rate of sexual violence three times higher than their commuting counterparts.
• Historical Reversal: This trend marks a significant shift from the 2007-2014 period, where non-college women were previously identified as the higher-risk group.
• Prevalence Rate: The highest prevalence was recorded among women living on campus between 2015 and 2022, with an estimated 1 in 100 women reporting an incident of sexual violence within a six-month period.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The study’s conclusions directly impact the global commitment to the SDGs, indicating significant setbacks in key areas:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality: The disproportionate risk faced by young women in higher education is a direct contravention of Target 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls. The university environment, intended as a place of empowerment, has become a “zone of vulnerability,” undermining progress toward gender equality.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education: The prevalence of sexual violence on campus compromises the principles of Target 4.A, which aims to provide safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all. An unsafe campus climate is a fundamental barrier to accessing the full benefits of a quality education.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Sexual violence has severe and lasting consequences on the physical and mental health of survivors, directly conflicting with Target 3.4, which seeks to promote mental health and well-being. The failure to protect students undermines their overall well-being.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The findings call into question the effectiveness of institutional protections for students. Achieving Target 16.1, which aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence, requires educational institutions to be strong, accountable, and proactive in ensuring campus safety and justice for victims.

Recommendations for Advancing SDG Commitments

To address these challenges and realign with SDG targets, the following actions are recommended:

• Strengthen Institutional Safeguards: In line with SDG 4 and SDG 16, university officials must enhance campus safety measures, particularly for on-campus housing, to create genuinely safe and inclusive learning environments.
• Implement Preventative Education: To advance SDG 5, educational programs on healthy relationships and consent should be implemented at earlier stages, such as middle school, to address the root causes of gender-based violence and challenge harmful social norms.
• Invest in Data and Research: Further investigation is needed to understand the causal factors behind the increased risk, allowing for the development of evidence-based policies that effectively protect students and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The article focuses entirely on sexual violence against young women, a critical barrier to gender equality. It highlights a disproportionate risk for women in specific environments (“Young women attending college face a significantly higher risk of sexual violence”), directly tackling the issue of eliminating violence against women.

   • SDG 4: Quality Education

     The article connects violence directly to the educational environment. It states that for college students, “women residing on campus experienced a rate of sexual violence three times higher than their commuter counterparts.” This unsafe environment creates a “zone of vulnerability” that compromises the quality and accessibility of education for female students, undermining the goal of providing safe and inclusive learning environments for all.

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     Sexual violence is a major public health issue with severe physical and mental health consequences. The article quantifies the “risk of sexual violence,” treating it as a health and safety concern. The call to “enhance campus safety measures” is a preventative health measure aimed at promoting the well-being of students.

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     The article discusses crime, justice, and institutional responsibility. It uses data from the “National Crime Victimization Survey” conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics to measure violence. The call for universities (“college officials”) to take action to enhance safety speaks to the need for institutions to be more effective and accountable in protecting individuals from violence.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

     The article’s entire focus is on sexual violence against young women in the context of college life. The study’s findings that the “six-month risk of sexual violence was 74% higher for college-enrolled women” directly relates to the need to eliminate this form of violence.

   • Target 4.A: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.

     The finding that women on campus face a significantly higher risk of sexual violence points to a failure in providing a safe learning environment. The recommendation for “college officials to enhance campus safety measures” is a direct call to action that aligns with this target.

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

     The study’s analysis of sexual violence rates among a specific demographic is a core component of understanding and ultimately reducing violence. The statement “Any sexual violence is too much” reinforces the goal of significantly reducing this form of violence.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Prevalence/Rate of Sexual Violence

     The article explicitly provides quantitative indicators used to measure the problem. These include:

     • The “six-month risk of sexual violence,” which was found to be “74% higher for college-enrolled women.”
     • The comparative rate of violence for on-campus vs. commuter students, with on-campus women experiencing a rate “three times higher.”
     • The specific prevalence rate for women on campus from 2015-2022: “an estimated 1 in 100 women reporting an instance of sexual violence during each six-month period.”

     These statistics serve as direct indicators for measuring the prevalence of violence against women (relevant to Target 5.2 and 16.1).

   • Data from National Crime Surveys

     The article states that the study “utilized data from the National Crime Victimization Survey.” This survey is an official data collection mechanism that serves as a key indicator source for tracking crime and violence, including unreported crimes. Using this data is essential for measuring progress towards reducing violence (Target 16.1).

   • Campus Safety Measures (Implied)

     While not a quantitative metric in the article, the call to “enhance campus safety measures” implies an indicator. The implementation, scope, and effectiveness of such measures could be tracked to measure progress towards creating safer learning environments (Target 4.A).

SDG Analysis Summary

Source: komonews.com