Chapter 4: It's About Survivors, Not Sex: Exploring Future Aspirations of Undergraduate Survivors of Sexual Assault

Gen Z undergraduates, often characterized as dependent on technology and social media, have arrived on college campuses after a global pandemic, with many hoping to find the social connections and sexual freedoms they may have missed during COVID-19 lockdowns and social isolation protocols. With over a quarter of female undergraduates and nearly 7% of male undergraduates experiencing a sexual assault or rape (RAINN, 2024), the current study sought to explore the impact of sexual violence on a sample of 125 Gen Z undergraduates. Results indicated although sexual assault survivors reported lower self-esteem and lower optimism toward marriage, the greatest differences were found between male undergraduates with no history of sexual violence and male sexual assault survivors. College athletes and political conservatives were more likely to hold stronger rape myth beliefs; however, there was a trend toward rape myths dissipating after some conservative women had experienced sexual assault. Recognized as the “we-generation,” members of Gen Z strongly advocate for social justice and inclusivity, and it appears that the notoriety and support of the #MeToo movement may be providing solidarity for female survivors of sexual assault; however, there is clearly a need for a greater sense of community and social support for male survivors of sexual assault.