Description

The Sexual Victimization of College Women (SVOCW-11) is a specialized research instrument developed by Fisher, Cullen, and Turner to assess the prevalence, nature, and characteristics of sexual victimization among female college students. The questionnaire systematically examines experiences of sexual violence, including completed and attempted rape, sexual coercion, unwanted sexual contact, sexual harassment, and other forms of non-consensual sexual behavior occurring within the university environment or elsewhere.

The instrument was designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of sexual victimization by documenting not only the occurrence of incidents but also their severity, frequency, contextual characteristics, and reporting behaviors. It has been widely used in epidemiological research, criminology, psychology, public health, and victimization studies to support the development of evidence-based prevention programs, institutional policies, and victim support services in higher education settings.

Data Analysis

Data obtained from the SVOCW-11 are analyzed using descriptive statistics, prevalence estimates, and hierarchical classification of victimization incidents. Psychometric evaluation typically includes assessment of reliability and validity, while inferential analyses may involve group comparisons, correlation analyses, logistic or linear regression models, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to identify demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors associated with sexual victimization and its psychological, academic, and social consequences.

Objective

The primary objective of the SVOCW-11 is to provide a reliable and comprehensive assessment of sexual victimization among college women. The instrument aims to identify the prevalence and forms of sexual violence, examine associated risk factors, evaluate reporting behaviors, and support the development of prevention strategies, institutional policies, and support services for victims within higher education institutions.

Scoring

The SVOCW-11 consists of 11 screening questions, each answered using a Yes/No response format. Participants who report an incident provide additional information regarding the frequency, characteristics, severity, and outcome of each event. Incidents are classified using a hierarchical scoring system, whereby each incident is categorized according to the most severe type of sexual victimization experienced. This approach allows researchers to estimate both the prevalence and severity of sexual victimization within the study population.

References

Belknap, J. B., 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, 317–390.

Fisher, B. S., Cullen, F. T., & Turner, M. G. (2000). The Sexual Victimization of College Women. National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice.