Words Matter: How College Students Use and Understand Terms Related to Dating and Sexual Violence

Abstract:

Dating and sexual violence (DSV) impact significant numbers of students on college and university campuses across the US (Cantor et al., 2019). Unfortunately, college students may not identify their experiences with DSV as such because the language they use to describe their experiences may differ from that used by university administrators in educational and policy materials. Utilizing case study methodology, we conducted 21 focus groups with 53 students and learned that students tend to describe their experiences through specific behaviors (e.g., manipulation and control) rather than terminology encompassing those behaviors (e.g., domestic violence). We provide an overview of the language students use to describe DSV and recommendations for improving policy and education as it relates to addressing DSV among college students.