Objective: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of precollege sexual victimization (SV) experiences and associations with revictimization and recent substance use behaviors among a sample of college students who reported precollege SV. Participants: A sub-sample of 931 college students who reported precollege SV at baseline data collection for an ongoing multi-site clinical trial. Methods: Data were collected via electronic surveys between September 2015 and March 2017. Measures included precollege and during college SV, recent substance use, and alcohol-related harm reduction behaviors. Results: Precollege SV characteristics associated with revictimization included: Nonpenile penetration (aOR: 1.51, 95%CI: 1.04-2.19); pressured sex (aOR: 1.46, 95%CI: 1.06-2.01); and stranger assault (aOR: 2.03, 95%CI: 1.22-3.40). Past 30-day binge drinking was also associated with revictimization (aOR: 1.86, 95%CI: 1.36-2.54). Conclusions: The relationship between precollege SV and alcohol, especially binge drinking, may require a more integrated approach to preventing subsequent revictimization.
Keywords: Sexual assault; alcohol; harm reduction.