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Structural and Sport-related Barriers to Formally Reporting Sexual Violence Among Undergraduate Student-athletes

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Abstract

Purpose

Experiences of violence and abuse are becoming well recognized as a problem across sport settings, and nearly a third of student-athletes on college campuses experience sexual violence (SV). Filing a formal report can allow those who experience SV to receive institutional supports and services, however few choose to do so. The aim of this study was to identify structural and sport-related barriers to formally reporting SV among collegiate student-athletes.

Methods

We surveyed student-athletes at 10 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I institutions across the United States to understand perceived barriers to formally reporting SV. We analyzed responses using descriptive statistics for closed-ended questions and inductive thematic analysis for open-ended questions.

Results

In our sample of student-athletes (n = 1,004), 23% stated they would feel worried about formally reporting SV because of their membership in a particular identity group and 31% because of sport-related factors. In open-ended responses, student-athletes noted barriers to reporting at multiple levels: society, institution and athletic department, coach, and team. For example, student-athletes were concerned about negative perceptions and responses of teammates and coaches if they were to report, particularly because of stereotypes based on gender, race, sexual orientation, and religion. Other barriers included fear of negatively affecting their team standing or altering team dynamics.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the need to address athlete-specific barriers to formally reporting SV. Efforts to change reporting-relevant policy or practice should center the experiences of minoritized athletes who may be facing heightened barriers to reporting.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express immense gratitude to Lydia Bell, PhD and Kelsey Gurganus-Wright, MPH in the NCAA research department for their assistance and advice on this research. We would also like to thank the university athletic departments who facilitated this research and the student-athletes who participated and shared their experiences. Finally, we acknowledge Brian Hainline, MD, Frederick P. Rivara, MD, MPH, and Stanley A. Herring, MD for their support of this research.

Funding

This study was awarded an Exploratory Research Project grant administered by the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center and funded by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Injury & Health Equity Across the Lifespan (R49CE003087). The views expressed in this report are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Ave, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    Avanti Adhia

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Alice M. Ellyson, Ayah Mustafa & Emily Kroshus

  3. Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA

    Alice M. Ellyson & Emily Kroshus

  4. School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Kelsey M. Conrick

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  1. Avanti Adhia
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Correspondence to Avanti Adhia.

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Adhia, A., Ellyson, A.M., Mustafa, A. et al. Structural and Sport-related Barriers to Formally Reporting Sexual Violence Among Undergraduate Student-athletes. J Fam Viol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-023-00564-0

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