Campus Sexual Harassment, Other Violence, and Racism, Oh my! Evidence From Black Women Undergraduates for a Culturally Competent University Approach to Title IX

"It Will Always Feel Worse Because it Comes with That Added 'Betrayal'": Intersectionality Praxis and Black Young Women Survivors' Perspectives on Cultural Betrayal Trauma Theory

Because of interlocking oppressions of racism and sexism (e.g. intersectionality), Black women's experiences of high rates of sexual violence are often ignored. A critical Black feminist framework, cultural betrayal trauma theory (CBTT) examines within-group violence in the Black community, which has compounding harm due to inequality. Though quantitative research has found support for CBTT, Black young women survivors' perspectives have not been examined. Therefore, the purpose of the current exploratory study was to engage in intersectionality praxis to qualitatively examine Black young women survivors' perspectives on CBTT through structured thematic analysis and coding based on theory. Respondents (N = 37; 18-30 years), provided their thoughts on CBTT following participating in a quantitative study. With most survivors in agreement that cultural betrayal in trauma is harmful, a key theme was community orientation in understanding both the harm and healing of cultural betrayal trauma. Black young women survivors' resonance with CBTT, as well as their recommendations for community-level solidarity and healing have important implications.

A Need for More Research: How to Understand Elevated Rates of Sexual Assault Among Bisexual College Women

Bisexual college women exhibit some of the highest rates of sexual assault among all college students. Existing research relies on sexual orientation-related stigma as an explanation for these disparities. In this study, we use data from the Online College Social Life Survey (OCSLS) to explore factors that elevate the risk of sexual assault for bisexual college women compared to heterosexual women. Results show that bisexual women exhibit higher rates of sexual assault since the beginning of college for all types of sexual assault, compared to heterosexual women. We find that perceived sexual disrespect, sexual interactions with men, alcohol use, earlier sexual debut, and multiple ongoing partnerships are associated with a higher risk of sexual assault for both bisexual and heterosexual women. Compared to heterosexual women, bisexual women exhibited higher odds of experiencing sexual assault across the majority of risk factors. We envision this study as a preliminary exploration that can inform ongoing work examining which bisexual women are at the highest risk for sexual assault. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed.

Far-Right Misogynoir: A Critical Thematic Analysis of Black College Women's Experiences With White Male Supremacist Influences

Amid the (re)surgence of far-right ideologies in the United States of America, we introduce the concept of far-right misogynoir as a lens for understanding Black women's experiences of white and male supremacist influences and actions. Using a qualitative case study, we examined individual interview data with 17 Black women college students (18–24 years) from a selective, predominantly white, liberal arts college in the Northeast. Using Black feminist qualitative methods and critical thematic analysis, we highlight Black women's experiences of far-right misogynoir, as well as their social and psychological meaning-making of such experiences. The women discussed various manifestations of far-right misogynoir, including: (a) symbolic representations on campus, (b) interpersonal violence and intimidation, (c) Trumpism on social media, and (d) intellectual disrespect in classrooms. Regarding their social and psychological meaning-making of far-right misogynoir, the women described: (e) safety concerns, (f) social exclusion, and (g) harm to emotional well-being. Our findings reveal the unique adverse influences of far-right misogynoir on Black college women's psychological health. We discuss implications for scholarly discourse, for addressing far-right misogynoir, and for policy and practice to support Black women college students’ well-being.

Violence victimization in Latina/o/x young adults: The multiplicative effects of cultural and high betrayal trauma

Latinas/os/xs experience pervasive rates of interpersonal violence victimization while also experiencing frequent discrimination and societal trauma (e.g., hate crimes). Betrayal trauma theory and cultural betrayal trauma theory provide frameworks for examining the distinct harm of violence perpetrated by a close other and by a member of the same marginalized group(s), respectively. However, no known research has examined the concurrent impacts of both forms of betrayal among Latina/o/x young adults. The current study examined the unique and multiplicative effects of high betrayal trauma (i.e., violence perpetrated by a close other) and cultural betrayal trauma (i.e., violence perpetrated by someone of the same marginalized group(s)) on psychological and physical health symptoms in Latina/o/x young adults. Latina/o/x undergraduate students (N = 208) participated in a 60-minute online survey assessing violence victimization, psychological symptoms, and physical health. Rates of victimization (91.35%, n = 190) were high across differing forms of violence. Interactions of high betrayal trauma and cultural betrayal trauma were significant for psychological, physical, and anxiety symptoms. Although there were no significant simple effects, the pattern of results suggested that being assaulted by someone who shares one's Latina/o/x identity was more strongly associated with psychological and physical symptoms when participants had not been assaulted by someone with whom they were close. The current study highlights the importance of culturally competent therapy for Latina/o/x survivors that incorporates the interpersonal and cultural contexts of victimization.