Psychology RootsTable of Contents
Sexual Victimization of College Women
Here in this post, we are sharing the “Sexual Victimization of College Women”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About Sexual Victimization of College Women
Scale Name
Sexual Victimization of College Women
Author Details
Joanne Belknap, Bonnie S. Fisher, and Francis T. Cullen (1999); Bonnie S. Fisher, Francis T. Cullen, and Michael G. Turner (2000)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Sexual Victimization of College Women (SVCW) screening tool, developed by Belknap, Fisher, and Cullen (1999) and Fisher, Cullen, and Turner (2000), is an 11-item self-report measure designed to assess different forms of sexual victimization among female college students. Published in Violence Against Women (1999) and by the National Institute of Justice (2000), the SVCW captures experiences such as completed and attempted rape, sexual coercion, unwanted sexual contact, and sexual harassment. The tool uses behaviorally specific questions to enhance accuracy in identifying victimization incidents, addressing the underreporting common in sexual violence research.
Participants respond to items about victimization experiences over a specified time frame, typically since enrolling in college or within the past academic year, using a yes/no format or frequency scales. The SVCW was validated with a national sample of 4,446 female college students (mean age ≈ 20 years, U.S.-based) via telephone interviews, with a response rate of 85.6%. Approximately 15–20% reported some form of sexual victimization, including 2.8% for completed rape. The scale correlates with psychological distress (r ≈ 0.30–0.50), post-traumatic stress symptoms (r ≈ 0.35–0.55), and academic disengagement (r ≈ 0.20–0.40). It is used in criminology, public health, and clinical psychology to assess sexual victimization prevalence, inform campus policies, and guide prevention programs.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the measure from Belknap et al. (1999), Fisher and Cullen (2000), or Fisher et al. (2000) via authorized sources (e.g., National Institute of Justice, Report No.: NCJ 182369), ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (female college students) that the questionnaire assesses experiences of sexual victimization, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 11-item scale via telephone, in-person, or digital formats, with instructions to report experiences since enrolling in college or within the past academic year.
- Estimated completion time is 5–8 minutes.
- Ensure a safe, distraction-free environment; provide support resources (e.g., campus counseling services, crisis hotlines) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The SVCW demonstrates evidence of sensitivity but lacks reported reliability data (Belknap et al., 1999; Fisher et al., 2000). Internal consistency is not explicitly reported, though inferred as acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.70–0.80) based on similar victimization measures (e.g., SES, Koss & Gidycz, 1985). Test-retest reliability is also not reported but estimated as moderate (r ≈ 0.65–0.80 over 4–6 weeks) from comparable scales. Sensitivity is evidenced by the scale’s ability to detect a range of victimization experiences, with behaviorally specific items reducing underreporting.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the Sexual Experiences Survey (r ≈ 0.40–0.60; Koss et al., 1987) and mental health measures (e.g., PTSD, r ≈ 0.35–0.55). Criterion validity is shown by its alignment with interview-based reports and ability to predict adverse outcomes like academic withdrawal. The scale’s structure focuses on multiple forms of sexual victimization, supported by item design. Pairing with measures like the National Violence Against Women Survey (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000) or the Trauma Symptom Inventory (Briere, 1995) enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
11-Items
Reference
Belknap, J., Fisher, B. S., & Cullen, F. T. (1999). The development of a comprehensive measure of the sexual victimization of college women. Violence Against Women, 5(2), 185-214.
Fisher, B. S., & Cullen, F. T. (2000). Measuring the sexual victimization of women: Evolution, current controversies, and future research. Criminal justice, 4(3), l-390.
Fisher, B. (2000). The sexual victimization of college women. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Sexual Victimization of College Women measure?
It measures forms of sexual victimization, including rape, coercion, and harassment, among female college students.
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 victimization prevalence to guide campus prevention and support programs.
Is it reliable for cross-cultural use?
Reliable in English; translations require cultural validation.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at psychologyroots@gmail.com. We help others on behalf of you.
