Sara H Lee1, Amrita K Stark2, Mary Ann O'Riordan2, Rina Lazebnik3. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH. Electronic address: sara.lee@uhhospitals.org. 2. Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study examined awareness among adolescents of a local rape crisis center as well as their knowledge about sexual violence. DESIGN: The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) conducts sexual violence prevention programs for high school students. A written, anonymous survey was distributed to students prior to the start of the program. Students were asked if they had heard of the CRCC; knowledge about sexual violence was assessed with a series of 7 statements (rape myths) that participants identified as true or false. Surveys were reviewed retrospectively. Analyses were carried out for individual questions and frequencies compared using chi-square analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1633 surveys were collected; 1118 (68.5%) participants were female and 514 (31.5%) were male; ages ranged from 12 to 19 years. Respondents described themselves as being of European descent (45.9%), African descent (26.2%), or mixed race (17.7%). Just over half (863, 52.9%) of survey respondents had heard of the CRCC. Over half (950, 58.2%) of participants answered 5 or more questions correctly (range of correct answers 0 to 7). In general, more participants who were aware of the CRCC were able to identify statements about rape correctly (P < .01 for statements 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7, P < .001 for ≥ 5 correct). Age, gender, and race were all significantly associated with knowledge about rape. Females were consistently more likely to get an answer correct, as were participants of European descent. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the CRCC was associated with increased knowledge about sexual violence.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study examined awareness among adolescents of a local rape crisis center as well as their knowledge about sexual violence. DESIGN: The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) conducts sexual violence prevention programs for high school students. A written, anonymous survey was distributed to students prior to the start of the program. Students were asked if they had heard of the CRCC; knowledge about sexual violence was assessed with a series of 7 statements (rape myths) that participants identified as true or false. Surveys were reviewed retrospectively. Analyses were carried out for individual questions and frequencies compared using chi-square analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1633 surveys were collected; 1118 (68.5%) participants were female and 514 (31.5%) were male; ages ranged from 12 to 19 years. Respondents described themselves as being of European descent (45.9%), African descent (26.2%), or mixed race (17.7%). Just over half (863, 52.9%) of survey respondents had heard of the CRCC. Over half (950, 58.2%) of participants answered 5 or more questions correctly (range of correct answers 0 to 7). In general, more participants who were aware of the CRCC were able to identify statements about rape correctly (P < .01 for statements 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7, P < .001 for ≥ 5 correct). Age, gender, and race were all significantly associated with knowledge about rape. Females were consistently more likely to get an answer correct, as were participants of European descent. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the CRCC was associated with increased knowledge about sexual violence.
Authors: Yoni Syukriani; A Noviandhari; N Arisanti; E P Setiawati; V K Rusmil; M Dhamayanti; N Sekarwana Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-01-08 Impact factor: 3.295