Document Type

Honors

Department

Justice Studies Program

Rights Management

Rhode Island College

Abstract

Previous research illustrates that college age students experience relationship abuse and sexual assault. I test lifestyle-routine activities theory to determine how college students perceive non-stranger relationship abuse and/or sexual assault and if both are occurring on a college campus, off a college campus, or through technology, including social media. Like previous studies, this one found that alcohol played a role in victimization. Also, more male participants than female participants were likely to be harassed through social media than in actual physical locations, such as at a bar or a private party. Findings from this study show that both women and men experience cyberstalking/ cyber-harassment, and that the use of social media is a predictor of coercive tactics. This study contributes to the literature by acknowledging the limitations of lifestyle-routine activities theory. Despite its wide applicability, it failed to adequately explain social media's effect on relationship abuse and sexual assault.

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