Date of Award
5-2015
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ)
Department
Criminal Justice
First Advisor
Dr. Heidi Scherer
Second Advisor
Dr. Tanja Link
Third Advisor
Dr. Jennifer McMahon-Howard
Abstract
Past research indicates that a significant proportion of youth experience sexual or intimate partner victimization (IPV) during their time in high school. Studies examining the risk-factors for victimization among this population report that youth are more likely to be victimized when they engage in behaviors such as drinking, drug use, and risky sexual practices (see Basile, Black, Simon, Arias, Brener & Saltzman, 2006). Many past studies that have examined the risk factors for victimization among this population have used the theoretical framework put forth by the routine activities theory (Cohen & Felson, 1979) and lifestyle-exposure theory (Hindelang, Gottfredson & Garofalo, 1978). Drawing from previous research and the lifestyle-routine activities framework, this study utilized the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N=13,538) to examine what factors increased a youth's risk of experiencing sexual victimization and IPV. Consistent with past findings, youth who engaged in risk-taking behaviors such as drug and alcohol use were more likely to report having been a victim of rape victimization and IPV. Policy and prevention implications are also discussed.