Psychology of Violence, Vol 14(3), May 2024, 174-183; doi:10.1037/vio0000509
Objective: Researchers have demonstrated a link between autism and victimization, but less research has explored rates of sexual victimization among autistic college students. Informed by lifestyle-routine activity theory, certain features of autism may enhance vulnerability to sexual victimization and may lead autistic individuals to be targeted by potential perpetrators. Method: Using data from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment III, a national study of college students, the relationship between autism and rape/attempted rape, nonconsensual sexual assault, and having challenges or problems with sexual harassment was examined at the bivariate level and in three logistic regression models, accounting for potential covariates informed by lifestyle-routine activity theory. Results: Findings revealed that autism is related to an increase in the odds of experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact and sexual harassment, but it is not significantly related to rape/attempted rape. Conclusions: Autistic college students are more vulnerable to experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact and having challenges or problems with sexual harassment. Accessibility offices on college campuses could be used to screen for sexual victimization. Providing autistic students with holistic support may serve to prevent sexual victimization and alleviate its negative effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)