Risk factors for sexual violence in the military: an analysis of sexual assault and sexual harassment incidents and reporting

Abstract

Using the 2014 RAND Military Workplace Study, this thesis studies the effects of demographics, prior victimization, deployment status, and workplace characteristics—specifically, command climate, leadership and training quality—on both incidence and reporting of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Sexual assault consists of a nonconsensual sexual act coupled with a use of force or threat thereof that is likely to cause physical harm to individual. Sexual harassment consists of undesired sexual advances, requests, or other conduct of a sexual nature in word or deed that creates an offensive or hostile working environment. These definitions are consistent with the terms as they are defined by the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Analysis of survey respondents is done separately for men and women. In both male and female subjects, there is a strong correlation between outcome variables and the following factors: deployment status, ineffective leadership, and a problematic workplace environment.