Exploring the Connection Between Food Insecurity and Sexual Victimization Among College Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT A small body of research has identified a positive relationship between food insecurity and victimization risk, including intimate partner violence and sexual violence victimization as well as experiencing and witnessing childhood violence in the home. The question remains whether food insecurity is related to sexual victimization among college students, and if so, what mechanisms link the two. We use data from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment, a national sample of college students, to investigate these relationships. We find that low and very low food security increases the odds of sexual victimization, and that both are tied to increased odds of experiencing moderate to severe stress, depression, anxiety, binge drinking, and drug use. Institutions of higher learning may benefit from programs to address food insecurity. Doing so may have the corollary benefit of influencing mental health and health risk behaviors in ways that could reduce sexual victimization.