Recurring Online Victimization Among College Women: Risk Factors From Within the Hookup Culture

Violence Vict. 2019 Aug 1;34(4):701-716. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-18-00186.

Abstract

Online crime and victimization are widespread, and cyber-criminologists have made significant progress in understanding the extent and nature of many forms of cybercrime. Recurring online victimization, however, has been comparatively unexplored. Using self-report survey data collected from 541 college women, the current study seeks to examine various forms of repeated online victimization, including unwanted sexual advances, harassment, and unsolicited contacts. Specifically, the current study explores how individual characteristics, situational factors, and behavioral routines are associated with repeat online victimization. The findings revealed that behavioral routines related to the hookup culture had the most explanatory power in understanding the repeat online victimization of college women. These findings provide guidance for prevention, policy, and research.

Keywords: cybercrime; harassment; recurring victimization; sexual victimization; victimization.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Computer Security
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Intimate Partner Violence / psychology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Students
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Universities
  • Utah
  • Young Adult