SOPHE / CDC Student Fellowship

SOPHE / CDC Student Fellowship in Injury Prevention

Jhumka Gupta

College Dating Violence Among South Asian College Students in Greater Boston

National studies have indicated that 21% of college women report violence by a current partner, and 3-16% of college women are sexually assaulted each year. Women ages 16-24 are the most likely victims of IPV. While the knowledge-base of dating violence in the United States continues to expand, epidemiological data on specific racial/ethnic groups in the US, particularly South Asians, are woefully lacking. The purpose of this research project is to conduct an exploratory study of dating violence among undergraduate students of South Asian decent (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Bhutanese, Nepalese, Maldive Islanders) in Boston, Massachusetts. Web-based surveys with South Asian college students in greater Boston to: a) identify the prevalence of dating violence among South Asian college students, b) assess knowledge and attitudes related to male-perpetrated dating violence, c) to identify the forms of dating violence occurring in this population, and d) to examine the relationship between current dating violence victimization and cultural specific social norms. This project is of critical importance because: 1) College dating violence is a nationally pervasive public health issue primarily affecting women ages 16-24, 2) Thirty-four percent of South Asians in Boston are 18-24, 3) Previous research has identified South Asians to be at high risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. Results are expected to help inform university health centers on the specific needs of this population.

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