College Students’ Perspectives on Campus Health Centers as a Sexual Assault Resource: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Students’ perspectives of student health centers as a resource for sexual violence were examined. A qualitative, descriptive research design was used. Data were collected from 37 female undergraduate students in March 2016. Four focus groups were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Three themes emerged: (a) supports and barriers to using student health centers for sexual violence; (b) student health centers’ responsibility to educate students about sexual violence; and (c) student health centers’ responsibility to use campus-wide, comprehensive sexual violence efforts. Participants provided several recommendations to assist student health centers with addressing sexual violence. To maximize utility as an on-campus sexual violence resource, student health centers should foster a climate that is supportive of students’ use of the facility and tailor their efforts to address students’ needs. Student health center recommendations and suggestions for future research are provided.