A Cross-National Comparison of Sexual Aggression Perpetration Among College Students in the United States and Colombia

Sexual aggression is a global issue, yet few studies have used a single instrument to draw comparisons of sexual aggression perpetration rates across nations. This study assessed self-reported rates of sexual aggression perpetration using the Sexual Initiation Strategies Scale (SISS) and compared rates between college students in the United States (U.S.) and Colombia. The SISS separates sexual aggression strategies into three categories: enticement, coercion, and assault. Logistic regression analyses revealed significant country by gender interaction effects for enticement and coercion strategies. Follow-up analyses revealed Colombian men endorsed significantly higher rates of enticement and coercion strategies than U.S. men and Colombian women, suggesting that country norms may play a role in the perpetration of sexual aggression for men. U.S. men and women did not significantly differ in their endorsement of enticement and coercion strategies, consistent with some other recent research suggesting that young, U.S. women are using low-level sexual aggression at similar rates as men. Significant main effects of country and gender were found for assault strategies, with higher rates reported in Colombia than in the U.S. and among men than women. Results highlight both differences and similarities in sexual aggression among college students in Colombia and the U.S. and suggest that cultural messages regarding gender roles might be important influences on rates of sexual aggression.