Examining attitudes towards sexual violence and IPV prevention activities among fraternity members with official and unofficial houses

Abstract

Objective

This study explored differences in attitudes about sexual violence, knowledge of intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention resources, and participation in IPV prevention activities among young men based on their fraternity membership and house status (ie, official house versus unofficial house versus no house). Participants: 1,457 undergraduate men completed surveys in the 2017–2018 academic year. Fraternity members indicated whether their fraternity had an official, unofficial, or no house. Methods: The survey included measures of attitudes towards sexual violence, knowledge of IPV resources, and participation in IPV prevention activities. Results: Fraternity members with unofficial houses were more accepting of sexual violence than nonmembers, whereas fraternity members with official houses were exposed to more IPV prevention messages than nonmembers. Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of considering fraternity house status as a risk factor for sexual violence. Unofficial houses that are not regulated by the university may be particularly problematic for IPV.

Keywords:

• Fraternity housing
• fraternity membership
• intimate partner violence
• sexual violence