#Metoosocialworkeducation: Exposure to Interpersonal Violence Among Social Work Students

ABSTRACT

BSW and MSW social work students are effected by interpersonal violence on campus, yet little is known about their experiences during schooling. This study explored rates of victimization and associated effects since institutional enrollment among a sample of 734 MSW, PhD and BSW social work students across a university system. Over 14% of participants reported sexual violence, 17% reported stalking, and 30% reported sexual harassment. Over 8% reported physical intimate partner violence (IPV) and 19.4% reported psychological IPV. Social work students did not significantly differ from non–social work students in rates of violence, though they reported a significantly greater fear of victimization than other students. Findings illustrate the need for trauma-informed classrooms and awareness of Title IX polices among social work educators.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The University of Texas System.

Notes on contributors

Rachel J. Voth Schrag

Rachel J. Voth Schrag, PhD LCSW, is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Leila G. Wood

Leila G. Wood, PhD, is an assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Sharon Hoefer

Sharon Hoefer, MSSW, is a prevention specialist with Voices Against Violence at the University of Texas at Austin.

Noel Busch-Armendariz

Noel Busch-Armendariz, PhD, LMSW, MPA, is the University Presidential Professor and director of the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at the University of Texas at Austin.