Abstract
Sexual violence is prevalent on college and university campuses, constituting one of the most urgent issues faced by institutions of higher education. Most students who have experienced sexual violence avoid seeking support from their institutions, despite the availability of resources. Institutional betrayal, which occurs when institutions betray those who depend on them by failing to prevent harm or respond supportively to reports of harm, may play a role in discouraging students from using campus services. The purpose of the current study was to bridge parallel literatures on institutional betrayal and students’ barriers to reporting and service use. Associations between institutional betrayal, barriers to campus service use, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among sexual assault survivors were investigated. A two-factor model of institutional betrayal—Institutional Climate and Institutional Response—was used for analyses. Results from a sample of 178 undergraduates who experienced campus sexual assault revealed both factors of institutional betrayal were associated with PTSD symptoms and service use barriers. Multiple regression analyses indicated that Institutional Climate, but not Institutional Response, was uniquely related to PTSD symptoms after controlling for sexual assault history. Multiple regression also identified Institutional Climate as a significant predictor of barriers related to fear of negative treatment. These findings emphasize the connection between institutions’ rape-supportive climate and sexual assault survivors’ distress and suggest that institutional responses could play a part in service use barriers. Addressing both factors of institutional betrayal through campus policies and practices is essential in combating high rates of sexual violence in higher education.