The Prevalence and Nature of Victimization among First Semester Students at Urban, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)

Victimization is associated with compromised psychosocial functioning and educational attainment, but research has yet to investigate the victimization experiences of students who attend Hispanic-Serving Institutions, specifically, to inform programming and services. This study examines the prevalence and nature of victimization (i.e. non-sexual interpersonal victimization, stalking, contact and non-contact sexual victimization, property victimization, identity theft, and familial abuse) among a cohort of 2,388 first-semester students from two urban HSIs. Similar to previous research, 41% of students experienced victimization prior to enrollment and 24% experienced multiple types of victimization. Notably, 27% of students experienced at least one type of victimization since enrollment, with 13% experiencing multiple types of victimization and one-third of victims experiencing repeat victimization. Differences in risk for victimization since enrollment emerged across race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, campus residence, and employment status. Overall, victimization incidents were more likely to occur off-campus and be perpetrated by non-university affiliated individuals. Presence of a weapon and victim injury were uncommon. The findings speak to the experiences of students at urban HSIs, and results related to risk and nature of victimization incidents should be used to inform prevention efforts and support services at urban HSIs.