The Impact of Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault Perpetrator Type, and Location of Sexual Assault on Ratings of Perceived Safety

Abstract

The current study introduced the Safety Rating Scale and examined the influence of sexual assault, the location of assault, the relationship to perpetrator, and the impact of assault on perceived safety. Questionnaire packets, including the Safety Rating Scale, were completed by 314 female undergraduates (55% met assault criteria). Results indicated that sexually assaulted women felt less safe than those without an assault history. Women assaulted in their homes reported lower perceived home safety than women assaulted in another location. Furthermore, as the impact of the sexual assault increased, victims' feelings of perceived safety decreased. Finally, the prior relationship to the perpetrator was related to perceived safety.