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Original research
Screening college athletes for sexual violence: athletes’ experiences and opinions on best practices
  1. Sherilyn DeStefano1,
  2. Emily Peterson2,
  3. Derek C Pham3,
  4. Nicholas J Jackson3,
  5. Derjung M Tarn2,
  6. Dena Florczyk4,
  7. Aurelia Nattiv5
  1. 1 Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
  2. 2 Department of Family Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
  3. 3 Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
  4. 4 Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
  5. 5 Division of Sports Medicine, Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Sherilyn DeStefano; destefano.sm{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Objectives College athletes are at elevated risk for sexual violence, yet few formally report it and screening for sexual violence is uncommon. This study aimed to evaluate the nature of screening occurring among college athletes and collect athletes’ opinions on how best to screen for sexual violence.

Methods This was a mixed-methods study combining a cross-sectional survey with small group interviews. Intercollegiate and club athletes 18 years and older at a division I institution were recruited to complete an online, anonymous survey. Those who completed the survey were invited to participate in follow-up interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis.

Results 165 athletes completed the survey. Only 25% of respondents reported past screening for any type of interpersonal violence, and only 22% reported past screening for sexual abuse and 21% for sexual harassment. 12 student–athletes participated in follow-up interviews. Athletes suggested several best practices including normalising conversation about sexual violence, empowering athletes to maintain a sense of control around disclosure, building trust and providing multiple opportunities for discussion and disclosure.

Conclusion Less than one-quarter of athletes in this study have been screened for sexual violence. Sensitive and effective screening practices should include providing safe environments, initiating the conversation, offering multiple opportunities for disclosure, and ensuring personnel completing screening are knowledgeable on what to do in case of a disclosure. These can inform screening and educational practices to decrease stigma, support those affected and ultimately decrease the incidence of sexual violence victimisation.

  • Violence
  • Athletes
  • Sexual harassment
  • University

Data availability statement

Data are available on reasonable request. Deidentified data are available on reasonable request by contacting the corresponding author.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-107622

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    Data availability statement

    Data are available on reasonable request. Deidentified data are available on reasonable request by contacting the corresponding author.

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors SD, AN and DF conceived and designed the project. SD and EP conducted interviews. SD and EP analysed qualitative data with assistance from DMT. NJJ and DCP analysed quantitative data. SD drafted the manuscript. All authors interpreted the data and revised and approved the final manuscript. SD is the guarantor and accepts full responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole.

    • Funding This research was supported by an American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Young Investigators Grant. Statistical analysis was supported by the Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) of the National Institutes of Health under the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute grant number UL1TR001881.

    • Disclaimer The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the AMSSM.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.