Violence and women's health

Abstract

Last month, the Association of American Universities' Campus Climate Survey provided a disturbing picture of the extent of sexual assault on campuses in the United States. Almost a quarter of female graduates surveyed from 27 institutions indicated having experienced sexual assault during their undergraduate period. Distressingly, violence on campuses is part of a larger epidemic of sexual violence in the United States, making it a major women's issue. The widespread prevalence of exposure to violence and its immediate harm and long-term health consequences argue for greater efforts in both research and treatment.