Responsiveness of Sex Education to the Needs of LGBTQ + Undergraduate Students and Its Influence on Sexual Violence and Harassment Experiences

Abstract

Exposure to comprehensive sex education shows promise in preventing sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH) perpetration and victimization and supporting survivors. Determining if these benefits are also found in communities experiencing high levels of SVSH, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities, is needed. Utilizing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study design, we assessed LGBTQ + undergraduates’ exposure to sex education (SE), what SE sources they relied on, and SE’s perceived usefulness and responsivity to LGBTQ + needs. Compared to their non-LGBTQ + peers, LGBTQ + students perceived SE as less helpful in navigating personal desires (t₂₉₄ = 2.08, p < .05) and sexual consent (t₂₉₅= 2.15, p < .05). LGBTQ + students were more likely to use media (e.g., internet, pornography) as their primary source of SE on topics such as violence in relationships and consent. In-depth interviews substantiated quantitative findings, highlighting the non-responsiveness of SE among LGBTQ + students and further revealed that having to supplement SE through media increased LGBTQ + students’ vulnerability to SVSH (including online sexual coercion). Via interviews, LGBTQ + students reported formal SE to be non-inclusive, led to experiences of othering, silencing, erasure, and made them more vulnerable to SVSH and related outcomes. SE policy and education must be modified to be more inclusive and helpful for LGBTQ + students, especially relating to SVSH prevention.

Keywords:

• LGBTQ
• sex education
• sexual harassment
• sexual violence
• inclusion
• sexual violence prevention
• university

Acknowledgments

This work could not have been completed without the help and assistance of the following undergraduate researchers: Talia Kieu, Christine Wenzel, Atreyi Mitra, Vidhisha Mahesh and Annjelika Slate. Finally, we would like to thank all of the undergraduate students from UCSB, UCSD and UCLA who participated in this work, especially the community of LGBTQ + students who helped make this work possible.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [NUF2CE002403] and the California Department of Public Health [16-10844]. The views and findings expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official policies of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the California Department of Public Health. Additional support was provided by the Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award, the Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Award and the Western Regional Public Health Training Center Award.