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Biography

Kruti S. Chaliawala, Ph.D., is an academic researcher and educator passionate about public health and health education. She is an Assistant Professor at Boise State University School of Public and Population Health. Her journey began in the United States in 2010, driven by a sincere desire for educational excellence and community impact. She has a Ph.D. in Health Promotion and Education from the University of Cincinnati, where her doctoral research focused on addressing health disparities among minority populations and international college students, as well as child and adolescent sexual health. Additionally, she has an M.S. in Health Promotion Sciences (Wellness Management) with Honors from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she interned as a Sexual Health Ambassador and raised awareness among international students about reproductive health, sexual attitudes, and sex positivity. Moreover, Kruti has an M.A. in Forensic Psychology, a B.S. in Forensic Science, and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Oklahoma. Kruti aims to bridge the gap between international and domestic students, creating a safe space where all can thrive.

Rebecca A. Vidourek, Ph.D., is a Health Promotion and Education Professor at the University of Cincinnati. She is also the HPE Graduate Program Coordinator and the Health Education Health Promotion Concentration Director for the Master of Public Health program. Her research emphases include child/adolescent health promotion, substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention, positive youth development, school health education, and violence prevention.

Keith A. King, Ph.D., is a Professor and Director of the Center for Prevention Science. His research emphases include adolescent health promotion, suicide, violence and substance abuse prevention, mental health promotion, sexual health, survey development, and program evaluation. He has published over 200 professional articles in peer-reviewed journals and has delivered more than 300 professional presentations at international, national, and regional conferences. His research studies have been cited on various websites and in popular press publications, including Newsweek, WebMD, CBS Medscape, and Counseling Today.

Abstract

The prevalence of non-partner sexual violence among college students is a pressing concern that demands urgent attention. Although an integral part of the education system, international college students are often underrepresented in various studies. This calls attention to understanding the cultural nuances and multiple factors affecting this population. The current research delves into the experiences of sexual abuse among international students within the last 12 months, focusing specifically on incidents where sexual penetration or unwanted sexual touching occurred without consent. The study sheds light on the frequency and demographics associated with these distressing incidents using data from a large-scale survey conducted over the past year, encompassing a sample size of 13,242 international student respondents. Results reveal alarming statistics, with a substantial proportion of international students reporting experiences of non-partner sexual violence. Specifically, 4.8% of participants reported being sexually touched without consent, 1.9% reported attempted sexual penetration without consent, and 1.6% reported actual sexual penetration or being made to penetrate someone without consent. Moreover, the analysis indicates significant associations between experiences of sexual abuse and key demographic variables such as gender, relationship status, and number of sexual partners. Further exploration through univariate regression unveils compelling insights into the intersectionality of sexual violence, highlighting disparities based on biological sex, relationship status, and number of sexual partners among international students. The present study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies to address the pervasive issue of non-partner sexual violence among international college students. By understanding the dynamics of these incidents and their correlates, institutions can tailor support services, advocacy efforts, and educational initiatives to create safer and more inclusive environments for all international students.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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