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Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) – Victimization Version
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About Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) – Victimization Version
Scale Name
Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) – Victimization Version
Author Details
Mary P. Koss, Christine A. Gidycz, and Cheryl J. Oros (1982, 1985); Mary P. Koss, Christine A. Gidycz, and Nadine Wisniewski (1987)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Sexual Experiences Survey – Victimization Version (SES), developed by Koss and Oros (1982), Koss and Gidycz (1985), and Koss, Gidycz, and Wisniewski (1987), is a self-report measure designed to assess various types of sexual victimization among female college students. Published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the SES evaluates experiences ranging from unwanted sexual contact to completed rape, using behaviorally specific questions to capture incidents of sexual coercion, attempted rape, and completed rape (e.g., nonconsensual sexual acts involving force, threats, or incapacitation). The scale was designed to estimate the prevalence of sexual victimization in higher education settings and has been widely used in sexual violence research.
The SES originally consisted of 10–13 items (depending on the version), with participants responding “yes” or “no” to indicate lifetime or past-year victimization experiences. The 1987 version was administered to a national sample of 3,187 female college students (mean age ≈ 20 years, U.S.-based), finding that 15–25% reported some form of sexual victimization, including 8–12% for completed rape. The SES correlates with post-traumatic stress symptoms (r ≈ 0.35–0.55), depression (r ≈ 0.30–0.50), and anxiety (r ≈ 0.25–0.45). It is used in clinical psychology, public health, and criminology to assess sexual victimization, identify at-risk populations, and inform prevention programs. Note: At the time of the referenced publications, the SES was undergoing revision, and new psychometric data were pending. For updates, contact Mary Koss at mpk@email.arizona.edu.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the measure from Koss and Oros (1982), Koss and Gidycz (1985), Koss et al. (1987), or contact Mary Koss (mpk@email.arizona.edu) for the latest version, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (female college students) that the questionnaire assesses experiences of sexual victimization, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 10–13-item scale in a classroom, clinical, or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to report lifetime or past-year experiences.
- Estimated completion time is 5–8 minutes.
- Ensure a safe, distraction-free environment; provide support resources (e.g., crisis hotlines) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The SES demonstrates acceptable to strong psychometric properties (Koss & Gidycz, 1985). Internal consistency for females is Cronbach’s alpha = 0.74, based on a sample of college students. Test-retest reliability is high (r = 0.93 over 1 week). Criterion-related validity is supported by the scale’s ability to predict clinical outcomes, such as trauma symptoms, and align with interview-based reports of victimization (agreement ≈ 85–90%).
Convergent validity is evidenced by correlations with the Conflict Tactics Scale (r ≈ 0.40–0.60; Straus, 1979) and mental health measures (e.g., depression, r ≈ 0.30–0.50). The scale’s unidimensional structure focuses on sexual victimization severity, with behaviorally specific items enhancing validity. Pairing with measures like the National Violence Against Women Survey (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000) or the Trauma Symptom Inventory (Briere, 1995) enhances comprehensive assessment. Note: Revised versions (e.g., SES-SFV, 2007) may have updated psychometrics; contact Mary Koss for details.
Available Versions
11-Items
Reference
Koss, M. P., & Gidycz, C. A. (1985). Sexual experiences survey: reliability and validity. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 53(3), 422.
Koss, M. P., Gidycz, C. A., & Wisniewski, N. (1987). The scope of rape: incidence and prevalence of sexual aggression and victimization in a national sample of higher education students. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 55(2), 162.
Koss MP, Oros CJ. Sexual Experience Survey: a research instrument investigating sexual aggression and
victimization. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1982;50:455–457.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Sexual Experiences Survey – Victimization Version measure?
It measures types of sexual victimization, including unwanted contact, coercion, and rape.
Who is the target population?
Female college students.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 5–8 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies sexual victimization prevalence to guide prevention and support services.
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