Everyday life information seeking: sex-based associations with where men and women receive information about sexual violence

ABSTRACT

Sexual violence remains a critical health concern, especially on college campuses. Men and women are susceptible to victimization; however, there is little research that explores the places in which each sex acquires information about this topic. In this study, a model for everyday life information seeking is utilized to determine whether sex-based associations exist in the ways college students receive information about sexual violence. Barriers to reporting victimization for each sex are also explored. Undergraduate students (N = 285) completed an online survey about their everyday life information seeking experiences and perceived barriers to reporting victimization. Findings from this study suggest that sex is associated with coming across information serendipitously (non-direct monitoring) and through browsing (active scanning). Many women (47.2%) and men (57.0%) reported never having actively sought sexual assault information. Men who had actively sought information reported web search as a common method. This is alarming as previous research suggests that content is lacking and at times absent from university websites. Resources aimed at men are also uncommon. Notable associations exist between sex and the ways in which information is received about sexual violence. Exploring the contexts in which information is received highlights areas that health communication practitioners and scholars should disseminate information and engage students about sexual assault. In connecting with students where they are, we will increase the likelihood that they encounter content, potentially decreasing stigma and promoting the much needed, ongoing conversation about sexual assault for both sexes.

KEYWORDS:

• Health communication
• undergraduate students
• sex offenses
• sexual behavior
• sexual assault
• information seeking

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics approval

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of North Texas.

Notes on contributors

Dr. Sara Champlin’s research focuses health literacy – a patient's abilities to find, understand, use, and communicate about health information. A central focus of her research explores how young adults cultivate health knowledge and develop health-related decision making skills. Using principles from mass and interpersonal communication, she develops strategic health promotion campaigns that resonate with audiences and shift health behaviors.

Dr. Tracy Everbach’s research focuses on representations of gender and race in mass media. She also studies women in the workplace, particularly in newsrooms. Her work employs qualitative research methods from critical/cultural and feminist theoretical perspectives. She is a former newspaper reporter, including 12 years on the city news desk at The Dallas Morning News.

Sarah Sarder is an undergraduate student at the University of North Texas studying digital and print journalism and political science. Her research focuses on communicating about health through mass communication outlets such as news. She is an aspiring investigative reporter working at the North Texas Daily, and is currently engaged in researching sexual violence on college campuses as an undergraduate research fellow.